Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.2.17

sa bibhrat paurusham dhāma

bhrājamāno yathā ravih

durāsado 'tidurdharsho

bhūtānām sambabhūva ha

SYNONYMS

sah — he (Vasudeva); bibhrat — carried; paurusham — pertaining to the Supreme Person; dhāma — the spiritual effulgence; bhrājamānah — illuminating; yathā — as; ravih — the sunshine; durāsadah — very difficult even to look at, difficult to understand by sensory perception; ati-durdharshah — 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 Kamsa, and not only for Kamsa but for all living entities.

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-kuhakam satyam param 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 Vrindāvana-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 'tidurdharsah.

The words paurusham 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 vishnu-tejas, and Śukadeva says bhagavat-svarūpa. The Vaishnava-toshanī says that these words indicate the influence of the Supreme Lord's effulgence, and Viśvanātha Cakravartī Thākura says that they signify the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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