Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 25
Hari’s Special Mercy, Śiva’s Quick Boons, and the Deliverance from Vṛkāsura
अजानन्त: प्रतिविधिं तूष्णीमासन् सुरेश्वरा: । ततो वैकुण्ठमगमद् भास्वरं तमस: परम् ॥ २५ ॥ यत्र नारायण: साक्षान्न्यासिनां परमो गति: । शान्तानां न्यस्तदण्डानां यतो नावर्तते गत: ॥ २६ ॥
ajānantaḥ prati-vidhiṁ tūṣṇīm āsan sureśvarāḥ tato vaikuṇṭham agamad bhāsvaraṁ tamasaḥ param
The great demigods could only remain silent, not knowing how to counteract the benediction. Then Lord Śiva reached the luminous realm of Vaikuṇṭha, beyond all darkness, where the Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa is manifest. That realm is the destination of renunciants who have attained peace and given up all violence against other creatures. Going there, one never returns.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, Lord Śiva entered the planet of Śvetadvīpa, a special outpost of the spiritual world within the confines of the material universe. There, on a beautiful white island surrounded by the celestial Ocean of Milk, Lord Viṣṇu rests on the serpent bed of Ananta Śeṣa, making Himself available to the demigods when they need His help.
FAQs
This verse describes Vaikuṇṭha as bhāsvaram—self-effulgent—and tamasaḥ param, meaning it lies beyond material ignorance and suffering.
They were uncertain how to respond appropriately (pratividhim ajānantāḥ), so they stayed quiet rather than speak wrongly in a spiritually weighty moment.
It teaches humility and restraint—when clarity is lacking, avoid impulsive reactions and seek higher guidance, just as the demigods refrained from speaking.