Shloka 21
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
श्रीप्रजापतय ऊचु: देवदेव महादेव भूतात्मन् भूतभावन । त्राहि न: शरणापन्नांस्त्रैलोक्यदहनाद् विषात् ॥ २१ ॥
śrī-prajāpataya ūcuḥ deva-deva mahā-deva bhūtātman bhūta-bhāvana trāhi naḥ śaraṇāpannāṁs trailokya-dahanād viṣāt
പ്രജാപതികൾ പറഞ്ഞു— ദേവദേവ മഹാദേവാ, സർവ്വഭൂതങ്ങളുടെ ആത്മാവേ, ഭൂതഭാവനാ! ഞങ്ങൾ നിന്റെ ശരണം പ്രാപിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; ത്രിലോകത്തെ ദഹിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഈ വിഷത്തിൽ നിന്ന് ഞങ്ങളെ രക്ഷിക്കണമേ।
Since Lord Śiva is in charge of annihilation, why should he be approached for protection, which is given by Lord Viṣṇu? Lord Brahmā creates, and Lord Śiva annihilates, but both Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva are incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu and are known as śaktyāveśa-avatāras. They are endowed with a special power like that of Lord Viṣṇu, who is actually all-pervading in their activities. Therefore whenever prayers for protection are offered to Lord Śiva, actually Lord Viṣṇu is indicated, for otherwise Lord Śiva is meant for destruction. Lord Śiva is one of the īśvaras, or the controllers known as śaktyāveśa-avatāras. Therefore he can be addressed as having the qualities of Lord Viṣṇu.
FAQs
This verse shows the Prajāpatis openly declaring themselves śaraṇāpanna—surrendered—and praying for divine protection when a world-threatening danger (the poison) arises.
When the deadly poison emerged and began burning the three worlds, the Prajāpatis approached Śiva as Devadeva and Bhūtātman, seeking his intervention to save creation.
It teaches humility and refuge—acknowledge the danger clearly, seek higher guidance sincerely, and take shelter with faith rather than relying only on one’s limited power.