Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 6
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
मथ्यमानेऽर्णवे सोऽद्रिरनाधारो ह्यपोऽविशत् । ध्रियमाणोऽपि बलिभिर्गौरवात् पाण्डुनन्दन ॥ ६ ॥
mathyamāne ’rṇave so ’drir anādhāro hy apo ’viśat dhriyamāṇo ’pi balibhir gauravāt pāṇḍu-nandana
O son of the Pāṇḍu dynasty, when Mandara Mountain was thus being used as a churning rod in the Ocean of Milk, it had no support, and therefore although held by the strong hands of the demigods and demons, it sank into the water.
FAQs
Because it had no supporting base in the ocean; despite being held by strong beings, its immense weight made it sink.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī addresses King Parīkṣit, the descendant of Pāṇḍu’s line, as 'Pāṇḍu-nandana.'
Effort alone may fail without proper support; spiritual endeavors succeed when grounded in right guidance, steady practice, and divine grace.