Shloka 2
यक्षेश्वरावतारः (Yakṣeśvara-Avatāra) and the Nīlakaṇṭha Paradigm in the Churning of the Ocean
पुरा देवाश्च दैत्याश्च पीयूषार्थम्महाबलाः । क्षीरोदधिं ममन्थुस्ते सुकृत स्वार्थ सन्धयः
purā devāśca daityāśca pīyūṣārthammahābalāḥ | kṣīrodadhiṃ mamanthuste sukṛta svārtha sandhayaḥ
પ્રાચીન કાળમાં દેવો અને દૈત્યો—મહાબળવાન અને પીયૂષ (અમૃત) મેળવવાની ઇચ્છાવાળા—પોતાના સ્વાર્થસિદ્ધિ માટે, સંચિત પુણ્યના આધારથી, ક્ષીરસાગરનું મંથન કરવા લાગ્યા।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Cosmic Event: samudra-manthana (churning of the Ocean of Milk)
FAQs
The verse highlights how even celestial beings act from mixed motives—seeking “immortality” through external means—while the Shaiva view ultimately points beyond such gains to true amṛtatva: liberation through Shiva’s grace and right knowledge.
Although the verse describes Samudra Manthan, the Shiva Purana commonly uses such episodes to contrast worldly striving with refuge in Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga as the accessible form through which the devotee receives protection, purification, and the higher gift of moksha.
The takeaway is to “churn” one’s own mind through disciplined japa—especially the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—supported by dharma (sukṛta), rather than seeking lasting fulfillment solely through external acquisitions.