Shloka 16
Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
श्रीशुक उवाच यदा युद्धेऽसुरैर्देवा बध्यमाना: शितायुधै: । गतासवो निपतिता नोत्तिष्ठेरन्स्म भूरिश: ॥ १५ ॥ यदा दुर्वास: शापेन सेन्द्रा लोकास्त्रयो नृप । नि:श्रीकाश्चाभवंस्तत्र नेशुरिज्यादय: क्रिया: ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca yadā yuddhe ’surair devā badhyamānāḥ śitāyudhaiḥ gatāsavo nipatitā nottiṣṭheran sma bhūriśaḥ
Śrī Śukadeva said: When, in battle, the asuras grievously struck the demigods with sharp weapons, many demigods fell lifeless and could not rise again. At that time, O King, because of Durvāsā Muni’s curse, the three worlds with Indra became bereft of prosperity and splendor; thus yajñas and other Vedic rites could not be performed, and the consequences were most severe.
It is described that while Durvāsā Muni was passing on the road, he saw Indra on the back of his elephant and was pleased to offer Indra a garland from his own neck. Indra, however, being too puffed up, took the garland, and without respect for Durvāsā Muni, he placed it on the trunk of his carrier elephant. The elephant, being an animal, could not understand the value of the garland, and thus the elephant threw the garland between its legs and smashed it. Seeing this insulting behavior, Durvāsā Muni immediately cursed Indra to be poverty-stricken, bereft of all material opulence. Thus the demigods, afflicted on one side by the fighting demons and on the other by the curse of Durvāsā Muni, lost all the material opulences in the three worlds.
FAQs
This verse describes the devas collapsing in battle under the asuras’ sharp weapons, showing that even celestial power can fail when divine protection and fortune are withdrawn.
Śukadeva is setting the scene for the devas’ helplessness, which leads them to take shelter of the Supreme Lord—an essential Bhagavata theme for Parīkṣit’s spiritual inquiry.
When confidence based only on strength, status, or resources collapses, the Bhagavatam advises turning toward sincere prayer, humility, and dependence on the Supreme rather than despair.