Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 45

Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha

Devanagari script

निशम्य कर्म तच्छम्भोर्देवदेवस्य मीढुष: । प्रजा दाक्षायणी ब्रह्मा वैकुण्ठश्च शशंसिरे ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

niśamya karma tac chambhor deva-devasya mīḍhuṣaḥ prajā dākṣāyaṇī brahmā vaikuṇṭhaś ca śaśaṁsire

Translation

Upon hearing of this act, everyone, including Bhavānī [the daughter of Mahārāja Dakṣa], Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu, and the people in general, very highly praised this deed performed by Lord Śiva, who is worshiped by the demigods and who bestows benedictions upon the people.

Synonyms

• niśamya: having heard
• niśamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-śam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त), from धातु √शम् with उपसर्ग नि-; indeclinable verbal form; ‘having heard’

• karma: the act/deed
• karma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tat: that
• tat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative pronoun used adjectivally

• śambhoḥ: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• śambhoḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śambhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• deva-devasya: of the God of gods
• deva-devasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ‘deva of devas’

• mīḍhuṣaḥ: of the beneficent one
• mīḍhuṣaḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mīḍhuṣ (प्रातिपदिक; from √mīḍh/√mīḍ ‘to be gracious, to bestow’)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); archaic epithet ‘benefactor/bestower’

• prajāḥ: the creatures/progeny
• prajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• dākṣāyaṇī: Dākṣāyaṇī
• dākṣāyaṇī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dākṣāyaṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); proper name (Satī/Pārvatī as Dakṣa’s daughter)

• brahmā: Brahmā
• brahmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• vaikuṇṭhaḥ: Vaikuṇṭha (Viṣṇu)
• vaikuṇṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaikuṇṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); epithet/name of Viṣṇu

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• śaśaṁsire: praised/glorified
• śaśaṁsire: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śaṁs (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

Characters & Entities

• Śambhu (Lord Śiva)
• Dākṣāyaṇī (Pārvatī)
• Brahmā
• Vaikuṇṭha (Lord Viṣṇu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Shiva’s greatness in the Halahala poison episode?

This verse says that after hearing of Śiva’s extraordinary deed, even Pārvatī, Brahmā, and Lord Viṣṇu (Vaikuṇṭha) praised him—showing his exalted, benevolent role as protector of the cosmos.

Why does Lord Viṣṇu (Vaikuṇṭha) praise Lord Śiva in Bhagavatam Canto 8 Chapter 7?

Because Śiva performs a selfless, universe-saving act; the Bhagavatam highlights mutual honor among the supreme devotees and divine leaders when righteous sacrifice is shown.

What is the practical lesson of this shloka for modern life?

Selfless service and courageous sacrifice for the welfare of others is worthy of genuine praise; the verse encourages honoring noble actions rather than sectarian rivalry.