Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 32
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
कामाध्वरत्रिपुरकालगराद्यनेक- भूतद्रुह: क्षपयत: स्तुतये न तत् ते । यस्त्वन्तकाल इदमात्मकृतं स्वनेत्र- वह्निस्फुलिङ्गशिखया भसितं न वेद ॥ ३२ ॥
kāmādhvara-tripura-kālagarādy-aneka- bhūta-druhaḥ kṣapayataḥ stutaye na tat te yas tv anta-kāla idam ātma-kṛtaṁ sva-netra- vahni-sphuliṅga-śikhayā bhasitaṁ na veda
At the time of annihilation, the flames and sparks that emanate from Your eyes burn this entire creation—made by You—into ashes; yet You seem not to regard Yourself as knowing how it happens. What, then, can be said of destroying Dakṣa’s sacrifice, Tripurāsura, or the kālakūṭa poison? Such deeds are not the true subject of prayers offered to You.
Since Lord Śiva considers the great acts he performs to be very unimportant, what was to be said of counteracting the strong poison produced by the churning? The demigods indirectly prayed that Lord Śiva counteract the kālakūṭa poison, which was spreading throughout the universe.
FAQs
It describes how, at the time of annihilation, the universe is burned to ashes by the fiery sparks and flames from Lord Śiva’s eyes, emphasizing the overwhelming power of dissolution.
In their prayer they contrast destructive tendencies with the transcendence of Śiva’s role in cosmic dissolution, implying that ordinary destructive beings are not worthy of praise, whereas Śiva’s destruction is part of the divine cosmic function.
It encourages detachment and non-harm: do not glorify or imitate destructive impulses (lust, cruelty), and remember the temporary nature of the world, turning the mind toward devotion and higher purpose.