Shloka 1.40.16
सगरपुत्राणां रसातलगमनम् — The Descent of Sagara’s Sons and the Wrath of Kapila
तत: पूर्वां दिशं भित्त्वा दक्षिणां बिभिदु: पुन:।।।।दक्षिणस्यामपि दिशि ददृशुस्ते महागजम्।महापद्मं महात्मानं सुमहत्पर्वतोपमम्।।।।शिरसा धारयन्तं ते विस्मयं जग्मुरुत्तमम्।
tataḥ pūrvāṃ diśaṃ bhittvā dakṣiṇāṃ bibhiduḥ punaḥ |
dakṣiṇasyām api diśi dadṛśus te mahāgajam |
mahāpadmaṃ mahātmānaṃ sumahat-parvatopamam |
śirasā dhārayantaṃ te vismayaṃ jagmur uttamam ||
Then, having broken through the eastern region, they again broke into the southern quarter. There they beheld the mighty elephant Mahāpadma—great-souled, vast as a mountain—bearing the earth upon his head, and they were struck with the highest astonishment.
Subsequently, having dug the eastern region, they went on to southern and dug it too. In the southern region, they beheld a mighty elephant, magnanimous Mahapadma, resembling a great mountain. To their astonishment, they saw that elephant holdingthe earth on its head.
Dharma is portrayed as the sustaining duty of beings appointed to uphold the world: Mahāpadma ‘bears’ the earth, symbolizing steadfast responsibility and service to cosmic order.
Sagara’s sons continue digging through the earth across directions and encounter the southern directional elephant Mahāpadma supporting the earth.
Steadfastness (dhṛti): the elephant’s unwavering support of the earth models endurance and committed duty.