Naama 346-351: The divine body of Para Vasudeva

346. padmī · पद्मी

The one who always holds a lotus in His hand for sport.

(oṃ) padminē namaḥ

The lotus in His hand represents His saattvic qualities of dharma, knowledge, detachment, and lordship. The Bhagavatam describes Him as "playing with the lotus in His other hand." The lotus also suggests that He is always ready to welcome anyone who comes to Him.

347. padmanibhēkṣaṇaḥ · पद्मनिभेक्षणः

The one whose glances are like gently moving, pure lotuses and remove the afflictions of His devotees.

(oṃ) padmanibhēkṣaṇāya namaḥ

Andal asks the Lord, "Is it some magic spell that bewitches me with Your face, O You with red lotus eyes?" Nammazhwar describes how the Lord's lotus eyes melted his heart with joy.

पद्मनाभोऽरविन्दाक्षः पद्मगर्भः शरीरभृत् ।

महर्द्धिर्ऋद्धो वृद्धात्मा महाक्षो गरुडध्वजः ॥ ३८ ॥

padmanābhō’ravindākṣaḥ padmagarbhaḥ śarīrabhṛt |

maharddhirṛddhō vṛddhātmā mahākṣō garuḍadhvajaḥ || 38 ||

348. padmanābhaḥ · पद्मनाभः

The one who has a lotus-like navel.

(oṃ) padmanābhāya namaḥ

This naama occurred earlier as the 48th and the 198th naamas. Here, in the description of the divine form of Para Vasudeva, it refers to the beauty of His lotus-like navel. Thiruppaanazhwar sings of "the beauty of the navel that gave birth to Brahma" (ayanaip paḍaitthadhōr ezhil undhi).

349. aravindākṣaḥ · अरविन्दाक्षः

The one whose two eyes are lovely like lotuses.

(oṃ) aravindākṣāya namaḥ

Thiruppaanazhwar sings of "those great, long eyes with red streaks, which have driven me mad" (seyya vāya aiyō ennaic cindhai kavarndhadhuvē). In the Sundara Kandam, Hanuman describes Rama as "rāmaḥ kamalapatrākṣaḥ", Rama with eyes like lotus petals.

350. padmagarbhaḥ · पद्मगर्भः

The one who is meditated upon as being seated on a lotus that is fragrant and delicate, or who is installed in the lotus of the hearts of His devotees.

(oṃ) padmagarbhāya namaḥ

The familiar description of the Lord as "seated on a lotus" (sarasijāsana sannivishṭaḥ) refers to this. The Taittiriya Narayaniyam says, "The lotus of the heart, which is subtle, flawless, and the seat of the Supreme Being" (daharaṃ vipāpmaṃ paravēśmabhūtam yatpuṇḍarīkam).

351. śarīrabhṛt · शरीरभृत्

The one who, with His enchanting body, nourishes and protects those who meditate upon Him as if they were His own body.

(oṃ) śarīrabhṛtē namaḥ

It is said, "When the eternal Lord abides in the heart of a person, that person's body becomes possessed of a great charm in this world." The Chandogya Upanishad says, "O dear disciple! Your face shines like that of one who has realised the Brahman." Indeed, a devotee is both like the soul and like the body of the Lord, and He protects them as His own.