Shloka 44
स्वर्गगमनम्, अदितिस्तुतिः-मायातत्त्वम्, तथा पारिजात-प्रसङ्गे इन्द्रयुद्धम्
सामान्यः सर्वलोकानां यद्य् एषो ऽमृतमन्थने समुत्पन्नः सुराः कस्माद् एको गृह्णाति वासवः
sāmānyaḥ sarvalokānāṃ yady eṣo 'mṛtamanthane samutpannaḥ surāḥ kasmād eko gṛhṇāti vāsavaḥ
“If this nectar, born from the churning for immortality, is meant for all the worlds alike, then tell me, O gods: why is it that Vāsava (Indra) alone is taking it?”
Asuras (addressing the Devas during the distribution of amrita)
Speaker: Parasara
Teaching: Historical
Quality: revealing
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Kṛṣṇa’s impending action corrects Indra’s monopolizing pride by reasserting that divine boons are under Bhagavān’s dispensation, not Śakra’s private right.
Leela: Dharma-upadesa
Dharma Restored: Fair distribution and proper stewardship of cosmic gifts under the Supreme
Concept: Resources gained through collective effort and cosmic processes should not be seized by a single power-holder as private property.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Resist unfair monopolies; honor shared goods and collective contribution in community and governance.
Vishishtadvaita: All enjoyments are ultimately ‘His’ to apportion; jīvas and devas are dependents, not absolute owners
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Madhurya
FAQs
This verse highlights the central tension of Samudra Manthana: although amrita is presented as a cosmic product, its access becomes a question of rightful order, foreshadowing divine intervention to preserve dharma.
By putting the protest in the mouths of the Asuras, the text dramatizes a moral and cosmic contest—amrita is not merely a substance, but a symbol of legitimacy and divine sanction in the universe.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the episode is understood as operating under Vishnu’s supreme governance: immortality and power are ultimately distributed according to the preservation of cosmic balance (dharma), not mere force or claim.