Shloka 40
Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti
देवा: स्वं भागमर्हन्ति ये तुल्यायासहेतव: । सत्रयाग इवैतस्मिन्नेष धर्म: सनातन: ॥ ३९ ॥ इति स्वान्प्रत्यषेधन्वै दैतेया जातमत्सरा: । दुर्बला: प्रबलान् राजन्गृहीतकलसान् मुहु: ॥ ४० ॥
devāḥ svaṁ bhāgam arhanti ye tulyāyāsa-hetavaḥ satra-yāga ivaitasminn eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ
Some of the Daityas said, “The Devas are equal partners in the labor of churning the Ocean of Milk; therefore, as in a satra-yajña, by eternal dharma they have a rightful share of the amṛta.” O King, thus the weaker, envy-born demons repeatedly checked the stronger ones holding the jars.
Desiring to take the nectar, those among the demons who were less strong spoke in favor of the demigods. The weaker Daityas naturally pleaded on behalf of the demigods to stop the stronger Daityas from drinking the nectar without sharing it. In this way, disagreement and trouble arose as they forbade one another to drink the nectar.
FAQs
It states that those who have labored equally deserve an equal rightful share, and that this fairness is sanātana-dharma—an eternal principle—like the shared results in a satra sacrifice.
Because envy (matsara) arose in them; even though they were weaker, they repeatedly tried to take the amṛta pots from the stronger devas to claim the results for themselves.
It teaches fairness—reward should match effort—and warns that jealousy drives destructive behavior; cultivating gratitude and justice prevents needless quarrels within one’s own team.