Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 41
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
श्रीशुक उवाच एवमामन्त्र्य भगवान्भवानीं विश्वभावन: । तद् विषं जग्धुमारेभे प्रभावज्ञान्वमोदत ॥ ४१ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evam āmantrya bhagavān bhavānīṁ viśva-bhāvanaḥ tad viṣaṁ jagdhum ārebhe prabhāva-jñānvamodata
ಶ್ರೀಶುಕದೇವ ಗೋಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಈ ರೀತಿ ಭವಾನಿಯನ್ನು ಸಂಬೋಧಿಸಿ ವಿಶ್ವಭಾವನನಾದ ಭಗವಾನ್ ಶಂಕರನು ಆ ವಿಷವನ್ನು ಕುಡಿಯಲು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದನು. ಶಿವನ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿದಿದ್ದ ಭವಾನೀ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಅನುಮತಿ ನೀಡಿದಳು.
FAQs
To protect all beings when the deadly Hālāhala poison arose from the churning of the ocean; as viśva-bhāvanaḥ, he acted for the welfare of the universe and began to swallow it.
It says he was prabhāva-jñaḥ—fully aware of his divine potency—and therefore remained composed and even smiled as he undertook the act.
Serve the greater good with steadiness: when responsibility brings “poison” (stress, criticism, difficulty), act with clarity, faith, and inner composure rather than panic.