Shloka 3
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
तन्नैच्छन् दैत्यपतयो महापुरुषचेष्टितम् । न गृह्णीमो वयं पुच्छमहेरङ्गममङ्गलम् । स्वाध्यायश्रुतसम्पन्ना: प्रख्याता जन्मकर्मभि: ॥ ३ ॥
tan naicchan daitya-patayo mahā-puruṣa-ceṣṭitam na gṛhṇīmo vayaṁ puccham aher aṅgam amaṅgalam svādhyāya-śruta-sampannāḥ prakhyātā janma-karmabhiḥ
Die Anführer der Asuras wollten diese Anordnung des Mahāpuruṣa nicht. Sie sagten: „Wir werden nicht den unheilvollen Schwanz der Schlange halten; wir wollen den vorderen, glückverheißenden und ruhmreichen Teil.“ Unter dem Vorwand, im vedischen Studium und Hören hochgebildet und durch Geburt und Taten berühmt zu sein, protestierten sie und verlangten den Vorderteil.
The demons thought that the front of the snake was auspicious and that catching hold of that portion would be more chivalrous. Moreover, Daityas must always do the opposite of the demigods. That is their nature. We have actually seen this in relation to our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We are advocating cow protection and encouraging people to drink more milk and eat palatable preparations made of milk, but the demons, just to protest such proposals, are claiming that they are advanced in scientific knowledge, as described here by the words svādhyāya-śruta-sampannāḥ. They say that according to their scientific way, they have discovered that milk is dangerous and that the beef obtained by killing cows is very nutritious. This difference of opinion will always continue. Indeed, it has existed since days of yore. Millions of years ago, there was the same competition. The demons, as a result of their so-called Vedic study, preferred to hold the side of the snake near the mouth. The Supreme Personality of Godhead thought it wise to catch hold of the dangerous part of the snake and allow the demons to hold the tail, which was not dangerous, but because of a competitive desire, the demons thought it wise to hold the snake near the mouth. If the demigods were going to drink poison, the demons would resolve, “Why should we not share the poison and die gloriously by drinking it?”
FAQs
They considered the tail inauspicious and, out of pride in their status and learning, rejected that role even though the arrangement was part of the Supreme Lord’s plan.
The Daitya (Asura) leaders are speaking while the Devas and Asuras prepare to churn the Milk Ocean using Mount Mandara and the serpent Vāsuki as the rope.
It warns that pride in birth, achievements, or knowledge can make one reject necessary duties; humility and cooperation with a higher purpose bring better outcomes.