Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 41
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
श्रीशुक उवाच एवमामन्त्र्य भगवान्भवानीं विश्वभावन: । तद् विषं जग्धुमारेभे प्रभावज्ञान्वमोदत ॥ ४१ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evam āmantrya bhagavān bhavānīṁ viśva-bhāvanaḥ tad viṣaṁ jagdhum ārebhe prabhāva-jñānvamodata
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī fuhr fort: Nachdem der Bhagavān Śaṅkara, der Erhalter des Universums, Bhavānī so angesprochen hatte, begann er, jenes Gift zu trinken. Bhavānī, die Śivas Macht vollkommen kannte, gab ihm dazu ihre Erlaubnis.
FAQs
To protect all beings when the deadly Hālāhala poison arose from the churning of the ocean; as viśva-bhāvanaḥ, he acted for the welfare of the universe and began to swallow it.
It says he was prabhāva-jñaḥ—fully aware of his divine potency—and therefore remained composed and even smiled as he undertook the act.
Serve the greater good with steadiness: when responsibility brings “poison” (stress, criticism, difficulty), act with clarity, faith, and inner composure rather than panic.