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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 24: Verses 47-59
The hymn sung by Lord Siva (and taught to the Pracetas)
With the outer corners of its eyes smiling as it were with affection. Your form is decked with (flowing) tresses, is covered by a shining fine cloth-yellow as the filaments of a lotus--and is adorned with a pair of polished ear-rings. It is (further) graced with a brilliant diadem, bracelets, a pearl necklace, anklets and girdle; and its glory is heightened by a conch, a discus, a mace, a lotus, a garland (of sylvan flowers) and gems (of various kinds). It carries about its shoulders, resembling those of a lion, the lustre of the ear-rings and necklace etc., the Kaustubha gem lending charm to its neck; and the form is brightened by the bosom, which outshines the touchstone (bearing a streak of gold on it) by Goddess Sri, ever abiding thereon (in the form of a golden streak). Its belly, resembling the leaf (of the Indian fig tree in shape), looks (very) attractive with its (three) folds, which are shaking with the (alternate) inhalation and exhalation of air. By its deep navel, spiral in shape like whirlpool, it is inviting the universe (as it were) to return (to its source, the belly). The fine (yellow) loin-cloth and the girdle of gold shine all the more brightly (by contrast) on the swarthy hips. (Again) the form looks (very) comely by its (pairs of) beautiful feet, shanks, things and depressed knees, each pair matching perfectly. With Your feet shining as the petals of an autumnal lotus and driving away the darkness of our heart by the splendours of their nails, pray, reveal to us that form as Your very essence, that has dispelled the fear (of Your devotees), O Preceptor (of the universe), since You are the guide of souls wallowing in ignorance. "This form (of Yours) is worthy of being constantly meditated upon by those who seek the purification of their mind; for it is the practice of its adoration which brings fearlessness (in the form of final beatitude) to those who perform their own (allotted) duty (as a stepping-stone to Devotion). Sought after even by Brahma (who rules over heaven) and the (ultimate) goal of those who are exclusively devoted to Self-Realization, You are attainable (only) by him who is full of devotion, and are difficult of access to all (other) mortals. Having propitiated through exclusive Devotion-hardly attainable even by the virtuous-. You, who cannot be easily propitiated (by any other means), who will seek anything other than the soles of Your feet ? Though destroying the universe even with his brows contracted as a token of his majesty and energy, Death does not recognize the soul who has taken shelter under those feet as subject to his authority. I am not prepared to equate (the enjoyments of) heaven nor even final beatitude (immunity from rebirth)-much less the blessings sought for by mortals-with the fellowship, enjoyed even for half a moment, of those who have developed an attachment for the Lord. May we enjoy the (blessed) company of those whose sins have been washed away by immersing their soul in (the stream of) Your glories and their body in (the holy waters of) the Ganga flowing from Your feet---which absolve one of all sins-nay, who are imbued with compassion for all creatures and are possessed of a mind free from likes and dislikes and endowed with virtues (such as straightforwardness and so on) I Let this be Your boon to us. The contemplative soul whose mind is neither distracted by external objects nor loses itself in a spell of drowsiness (during meditation) exceedingly pure and blessed as it is by the loving devotion of such devotees, easily and surely succeeds in realizing Yours true nature at this stage.
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