Shloka 42
उच्चैःश्रवसः वर्णविपणः तथा नागशापः
Uccaiḥśravas Color-Wager and the Nāga Curse
त्रैलोक्यं मोहितं यस्य गन्धमाप्राय तद् विषम् । प्राग्रसललोकरक्षार्थ ब्रह्मणो वचनाच्छिव:,उस विषकी गन्ध सूँघते ही त्रिलोकीके प्राणी मूर्च्छिंत हो गये। तब ब्रह्माजीके प्रार्थना करनेपर भगवान् श्रीशंकरने त्रिलोकीकी रक्षाके लिये उस महान् विषको पी लिया
Śaunaka uvāca — trailokyaṁ mohitaṁ yasya gandham āprāya tad viṣam | prāgrasal lokarakṣārthaṁ brahmaṇo vacanāc chivaḥ ||
Śaunaka said: “So potent was that poison that merely smelling its odor threw the beings of the three worlds into delusion and collapse. Then, at Brahmā’s request, Śiva—seeking to protect all creatures—drank that terrible poison.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic leadership through self-sacrifice: a powerful being accepts personal suffering to protect the wider world, showing that true strength is guided by compassion and responsibility.
A deadly poison is so intense that even its odor overwhelms the beings of the three worlds. To prevent universal harm, Śiva, prompted by Brahmā’s appeal, drinks the poison to safeguard creation.