Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 10

Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa

Prelude to Samudra-manthana

Devanagari script

पयोधिं येन निर्मथ्य सुराणां साधिता सुधा । भ्रममाणोऽम्भसि धृत: कूर्मरूपेण मन्दर: ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

payodhiṁ yena nirmathya surāṇāṁ sādhitā sudhā bhramamāṇo ’mbhasi dhṛtaḥ kūrma-rūpeṇa mandaraḥ

Translation

En barattant l’Océan de Lait, Ajita fit surgir le nectar pour les devas. Sous la forme d’une tortue, Il se mouvait dans les eaux en portant sur Son dos la grande montagne Mandara.

Synonyms

• पयोधिम्: the ocean
• पयोधिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयोधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (sg)

• येन: by whom/with which
• येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (m./n.), तृतीया विभक्ति (instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (sg)

• निर्मथ्य: having churned
• निर्मथ्य: Kriya (क्रिया—पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निर्मथ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal), उपसर्गः निर्-; अर्थः—having churned

• सुराणाम्: of the gods
• सुराणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी विभक्ति (genitive/6th), बहुवचन (pl)

• साधिता: was produced/obtained
• साधिता: Karta (कर्ता—विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: साधित (साध् धातु + क्त, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative/1st), एकवचन (sg); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) — ‘obtained/produced’

• सुधा: nectar (amṛta)
• सुधा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative/1st), एकवचन (sg)

• भ्रममाणः: while moving/whirling
• भ्रममाणः: Karta (कर्ता—विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भ्रम् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative/1st), एकवचन (sg); वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle) — ‘moving/whirling’

• अम्भसि: in the water
• अम्भसि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्भस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), सप्तमी विभक्ति (locative/7th), एकवचन (sg)

• धृतः: was held/supported
• धृतः: Karta (कर्ता—विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृत (धृ धातु + क्त, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative/1st), एकवचन (sg); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) — ‘held/supported’

• कूर्म-रूपेण: in the form of a tortoise
• कूर्म-रूपेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया विभक्ति (instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (sg); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—कूर्मस्य रूपम् (the form of a tortoise)

• मन्दरः: Mandara (mountain)
• मन्दरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्दर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative/1st), एकवचन (sg)

Characters & Entities

• Kūrma
• Mandara
• Sura (demigods)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Kurma Avatara and the churning of the ocean?

This verse states that the Lord enabled the churning of the Ocean of Milk to produce nectar and, as Kūrma, supported Mount Mandara when it spun and sank in the waters.

Why did Lord Vishnu take the form of a tortoise (Kurma) in Samudra Manthana?

Because Mount Mandara could not remain steady on the ocean; the Lord assumed the Kūrma form and bore the mountain so the churning could successfully produce amṛta.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

When great efforts feel unstable, remember the need for divine support and a steady foundation—seek guidance, humility, and devotion so your work becomes sustainable and fruitful.