Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 39
Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti
देवा: स्वं भागमर्हन्ति ये तुल्यायासहेतव: । सत्रयाग इवैतस्मिन्नेष धर्म: सनातन: ॥ ३९ ॥ इति स्वान्प्रत्यषेधन्वै दैतेया जातमत्सरा: । दुर्बला: प्रबलान् राजन्गृहीतकलसान् मुहु: ॥ ४० ॥
devāḥ svaṁ bhāgam arhanti ye tulyāyāsa-hetavaḥ satra-yāga ivaitasminn eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ
Certains daityas dirent : « Les devas ont eux aussi pris part au barattage de l’Océan de Lait avec un effort égal ; ainsi, comme dans un satra-yajña, selon le dharma éternel, il leur revient une part d’amṛta. » Ô Roi, de cette manière, les daityas les plus faibles empêchèrent à maintes reprises les plus puissants, qui tenaient la cruche, de prendre le nectar.
Desiring to take the nectar, those among the demons who were less strong spoke in favor of the demigods. The weaker Daityas naturally pleaded on behalf of the demigods to stop the stronger Daityas from drinking the nectar without sharing it. In this way, disagreement and trouble arose as they forbade one another to drink the nectar.
FAQs
In this verse, the devas state that those who have contributed equally deserve their rightful portion, calling it an eternal dharma—like the fair distribution in a satra-sacrifice.
Because the churning was a joint effort, the devas invoked the timeless rule of dharma: equal labor warrants an equal claim—seeking to prevent conflict over the results.
In families, workplaces, and communities, share results and credit according to genuine contribution—this sustains harmony and reflects sanātana-dharma.