A Summary of the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapuranam-3-4.

Chapter-3: Kapila’s Instructions to Devahuti -4.

We also have in our scriptures the description of the Mahapurusha, Purushottama.

Ato’smi loke vede ca prathitah purushottamah (B.G. 15.18), says Bhagavan Sri Krishna in the Bhagavadgita.

We cannot describe Him in any other manner except as Purushottama, the best of all purushas.


Here the word ‘purusha’ does not connote a male being, but means an inclusiveness of all particulars, bereft of the distinction of male and female. We cannot say whether God is male or female, because that majesty is so complete that we cannot describe God section-wise or partially in terms of social connotations.

How does Maharishi Kapila describe the majesty of God, so that we may contemplate on Him?

Yesterday I mentioned the Zen technique of attention paid to minute particulars of anything which becomes the object of concentration. Here is a similar description of meditation on every minute part of the body.


The visualisation of God rises gradually from His feet to the cosmic apex of His head, which is all-pervasive.

There are Sanskrit stotras which are called Vishnu Padadikeshantavarnanam—or, in a reverse way, Vishnu Keshadipadantavarnanam.


From the conceived hair of the Supreme Person down to the feet, and in the other order, from the feet to the Supreme head with His hair, is a kind of vipasana meditation of a mysterious type, taking the mind from top to bottom and from bottom to top.

We are looking at God from head to foot in all His finery, completeness, beauty, ability and omnipotence.

Swami Krishnananda
To be continued  .....