SB 10.2.17 · Srimad-Bhagavatam

Devanagari

स बिभ्रत् पौरुषं धाम भ्राजमानो यथा रवि: दुरासदोऽतिदुर्धर्षो भूतानां सम्बभूव ह ॥ १७ ॥

Verse text

sa bibhrat pauruṣaṁ dhāma bhrājamāno yathā raviḥ durāsado ’tidurdharṣo bhūtānāṁ sambabhūva ha

Synonyms

saḥ — he (Vasudeva) ; bibhrat — carried ; pauruṣam — pertaining to the Supreme Person ; dhāma — the spiritual effulgence ; bhrājamānaḥ — illuminating ; yathā — as ; raviḥ — the sunshine ; durāsadaḥ — very difficult even to look at, difficult to understand by sensory perception ; ati — durdharṣaḥ — approachable with great difficulty ; bhūtānām — of all living entities ; sambabhūva — so he became ; ha — positively .

Translation

While carrying the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart, Vasudeva bore the Lord’s transcendentally illuminating effulgence, and thus he became as bright as the sun. He was therefore very difficult to see or approach through sensory perception. Indeed, he was unapproachable and unperceivable even for such formidable men as Kaṁsa, and not only for Kaṁsa but for all living entities.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

While carrying the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart, Vasudeva bore the Lord's transcendentally illuminating effulgence, and thus he became as bright as the sun. He was therefore very difficult to see or approach through sensory perception. Indeed, he was unapproachable and unperceivable even for such formidable men as Kaṁsa, and not only for Kaṁsa but for all living entities. KB 10.2.17 When Vasudeva was sustaining the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart, he appeared just like the glowing sun, whose shining rays are always unbearable and scorching to the common man. The form of the Lord situated in the pure unalloyed heart of Vasudeva is not different from the original form of Kṛṣṇa. The appearance of the form of Kṛṣṇa anywhere, and specifically within the heart, is called dhāma. Dhāma refers not only to Kṛṣṇa’s form but also to His name, His qualities and His paraphernalia. Everything becomes manifest simultaneously.

Purport

The word dhāma is significant. Dhāma refers to the place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead resides. In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.1.1) it is said, dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi. In the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no influence of material energy ( dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakam ). Any place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead is present by His name, form, qualities or paraphernalia immediately becomes a dhāma. For example, we speak of Vṛndāvana-dhāma, Dvārakā-dhāma and Mathurā-dhāma because in these places the name, fame, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Godhead are always present. Similarly, if one is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to do something, the core of his heart becomes a dhāma, and thus he becomes so extraordinarily powerful that not only his enemies but also people in general are astonished to observe his activities. Because he is unapproachable, his enemies are simply struck with wonder, as explained here by the words durāsado ’tidurdharsaḥ. The words pauruṣaṁ dhāma have been explained by various ācāryas. Śrī Vīrarāghava Ācārya says that these words refer to the effulgence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vijayadhvaja says that they signify viṣṇu-tejas, and Śukadeva says bhagavat-svarūpa. The Vaiṣṇava-toṣaṇī says that these words indicate the influence of the Supreme Lord’s effulgence, and Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says that they signify the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Vasudeva was holding the power (dhama) of the Lord (paurusam) . Or it can mean "Vasudeva became effulgent on seeing the appearance of the Lord within himself." According to the Visvakosa, dhama means, body, house, ray, place, birth and influence. Durasadah means that other living entities could not approach him. Ati durdharsa means that Kamsa and others could not defeat him.

Purport (Jiva Goswami)

Vasudeva took on the effulgence of the Lord (pauruṣaṁ dhāma) because the Lord’s power appeared in his mind. Or dhāma can mean manifestation or power. Viśva-kośa says that dhāṁa means body, house, rays, place, birth or power. People could not approach him or look at him (durāsadaḥ) and it was impossible to defeat him. This clearly (ha) happened in a pronounced way (sam).