Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
मेघश्याम: कनकपरिधि: कर्णविद्योतविद्यु- न्मूर्ध्नि भ्राजद्विलुलितकच: स्रग्धरो रक्तनेत्र: । जैत्रैर्दोर्भिर्जगदभयदैर्दन्दशूकं गृहीत्वा मथ्नन् मथ्ना प्रतिगिरिरिवाशोभताथो धृताद्रि: ॥ १७ ॥
megha-śyāmaḥ kanaka-paridhiḥ karṇa-vidyota-vidyun mūrdhni bhrājad-vilulita-kacaḥ srag-dharo rakta-netraḥ jaitrair dorbhir jagad-abhaya-dair dandaśūkaṁ gṛhītvā mathnan mathnā pratigirir ivāśobhatātho dhṛtādriḥ
Le Seigneur apparut tel un nuage sombre; Il portait des vêtements jaunes comme l’or; Ses boucles d’oreilles luisaient comme l’éclair; Ses cheveux se répandaient sur Ses épaules; Il avait une guirlande de fleurs et des yeux rosés. De Ses bras puissants et glorieux, qui accordent l’intrépidité au monde, Il saisit Vāsuki et se mit à baratter l’océan, prenant le mont Mandara pour bâton; ainsi Il resplendissait comme la montagne Indranīla, magnifiquement dressée.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva describes Śiva powerfully taking hold of Vāsuki and participating in the churning, appearing radiant and granting fearlessness to the world.
Śiva seized the serpent used as the churning rope, supporting the devas and asuras in the cosmic task and stabilizing the process with his victorious, protective strength.
It highlights the devotional ideal of protecting others—steadying a difficult situation and reducing fear through courage, service, and spiritual responsibility.