Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 2

Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha

Devanagari script

हरि: पुरस्ताज्जगृहे पूर्वं देवास्ततोऽभवन् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

hariḥ purastāj jagṛhe pūrvaṁ devās tato ’bhavan

Translation

La Suprema Persona, Ajita, tomó primero la parte delantera de la serpiente; luego los devas lo siguieron.

Synonyms

• hariḥ: Hari
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• purastāt: in front
• purastāt: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purastāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) meaning ‘in front/at the front’

• jagṛhe: took/held
• jagṛhe: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √grah (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• pūrvam: first
• pūrvam: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrvam (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (कालवाचक) ‘first/previously’

• devāḥ: the gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (क्रम/हेतु) ‘then/thereupon’

• abhavan: became/were (placed)
• abhavan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd Person, Plural, Parasmaipada

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Devas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Hari being first and foremost?

This verse states that Hari is established at the forefront from the very beginning, indicating the devas and all cosmic order depend upon Him.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize Hari before the devas in Canto 8?

In the Samudra-manthana narrative, the devas seek success and protection; Śukadeva highlights that their power and even their standing are secondary to Hari’s supreme position.

Practical application of putting Hari first in modern life?

Prioritize devotion and God-centered values before seeking worldly support—aligning actions with dharma makes outcomes steadier, just as the devas depend on Hari.