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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

ໃນການກ່ອນການ ເທວະ ແລະ ໄດຕະຍະ ຜູ້ມີກໍາລັງຍິ່ງ ປາຖະໜາຈະໄດ້ອະມຣິຕະ ໄດ້ຮ່ວມພັນທະກັນເພື່ອປະໂຫຍດທີ່ຕົນປາດຖະໜາ ອາໄສບຸນກຸສົນທີ່ສະສົມ ແລະໄດ້ກວນມະຫາສະມຸດນ້ໍານົມ.

purāformerly
purā:
Kāla (काल)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootpurā (अव्यय)
Formकालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time: formerly)
devāḥthe gods
devāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootdeva (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन
caand
ca:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)
daityāḥthe Daityas/demons
daityāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootdaitya (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन
caand
ca:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)
pīyūṣa-arthamfor the sake of nectar
pīyūṣa-artham:
Prayojana (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
TypeNoun
Rootpīyūṣa + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (पियूषस्य अर्थः)
mahā-balāḥmighty/very strong
mahā-balāḥ:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootmahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि (महद् बलं येषाम्) विशेषणम् (देवाः/दैत्याः)
kṣīra-udadhiṃthe ocean of milk
kṣīra-udadhiṃ:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootkṣīra + udadhi (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (क्षीरस्य उदधिः)
mamanthuḥchurned
mamanthuḥ:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootmanth (धातु)
Formलिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद
tethey
te:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Roottad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम; कर्तृ-सम्बन्धे पुनरुक्ति (they)
sukṛtawell-done/virtuous
sukṛta:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootsu-kṛta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त-प्राय (कृत = done well) अव्ययीभाववत् विशेषण-प्रयोगः (पाठभेदसम्भवः)
svārthaself-interested/for their own purpose
svārtha:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootsva + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (समास-पूर्वपदत्वात्); तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य अर्थः) विशेषणम्
sandhayaḥalliances/agreements
sandhayaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootsandhi (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

Suta Goswami

Tattva Level: pashu

Cosmic Event: samudra-manthana (churning of the Ocean of Milk)

D
Devas
D
Daityas
K
Kshirodaka Ocean (Ocean of Milk)
A
Amrita (Piyusha)

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.