Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 12
Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
श्रीराजोवाच यथा भगवता ब्रह्मन्मथित: क्षीरसागर: । यदर्थं वा यतश्चाद्रिं दधाराम्बुचरात्मना ॥ ११ ॥ यथामृतं सुरै: प्राप्तं किं चान्यदभवत् तत: । एतद् भगवत: कर्म वदस्व परमाद्भुतम् ॥ १२ ॥
śrī-rājovāca yathā bhagavatā brahman mathitaḥ kṣīra-sāgaraḥ yad-arthaṁ vā yataś cādriṁ dadhārāmbucarātmanā
König Parīkṣit fragte: O großer Brāhmaṇa, wie und zu welchem Zweck quirlt der Herr den Milchozean? Warum blieb Er im Wasser als Schildkröte und trug den Berg Mandara? Wie erlangten die Devas den Nektar, und was entstand sonst noch aus dem Quirlen? Bitte schildere diese höchst wunderbaren Taten des Herrn.
FAQs
In this verse, King Parīkṣit asks Śukadeva Gosvāmī to explain how the Lord arranged the churning of the Milk Ocean, why it was done, and what occurred after the devas obtained amṛta—highlighting it as a supremely wondrous divine act.
Because the churning required Mandara Mountain to be supported; Parīkṣit specifically wants to hear how the Lord assumed a water-dwelling form (Kurma) to bear the mountain and make the divine plan succeed.
Approach sacred history with sincere inquiry—like Parīkṣit—seeking the Lord’s purpose and presence behind events; this cultivates śraddhā (faith) and bhakti by seeing divine guidance even in complex struggles.