Shloka 2

The Churning of the Ocean

Milk Ocean Episode: Kālakūṭa, Hari-nāma, and Alakṣmī/Jyeṣṭhā

Devanagari script

ततः सनातनः श्रीमान्दयालुर्जगदीश्वरः । अधारयद्गिरेर्मूलं कूर्मरूपेण पृष्ठतः

Transliteration

tataḥ sanātanaḥ śrīmāndayālurjagadīśvaraḥ | adhārayadgirermūlaṃ kūrmarūpeṇa pṛṣṭhataḥ

Translation

അപ്പോൾ സനാതനനും ശ്രീമാനും ദയാലുവുമായ ജഗദീശ്വരൻ കൂർമരൂപം ധരിച്ചു തന്റെ പുറത്ത് പർവ്വതത്തിന്റെ അടിത്തറ താങ്ങി നിർത്തി।

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—काल/अनुक्रमवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• सनातनः: eternal
• सनातनः: Karta (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सनातन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• श्रीमान्: glorious, fortunate
• श्रीमान्: Karta (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• दयालुः: compassionate
• दयालुः: Karta (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दयालु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• जगदीश्वरः: Lord of the world
• जगदीश्वरः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जगतः ईश्वरः)

• अधारयत्: supported/held
• अधारयत्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः अ- (आ/अधि-प्रयोगः पाठभेदानुसार)

• गिरेः: of the mountain
• गिरेः: Sambandha (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मूलम्: base, root
• मूलम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कूर्मरूपेण: in the form of a tortoise
• कूर्मरूपेण: Karana (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूर्म + रूप (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कूर्मस्य रूपम्)

• पृष्ठतः: on (his) back
• पृष्ठतः: Adhikarana (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृष्ठतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—देशवाचक (adverb/postposition: 'from/at the back; on the back')

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration; specific dialogue speaker not explicit in the verse alone)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial_realm

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रीमान्दयालुः = श्रीमान् + दयालुः; अधारयद्गिरेः = अधारयत् + गिरेः

Characters & Entities

• Jagadīśvara (Vishnu)
• Kūrma (Tortoise incarnation)

FAQs

Which divine form is described in this verse, and what is its role?

The verse describes Viṣṇu as Kūrma (the tortoise incarnation), whose role is to support the mountain’s base on His back—an image associated with stabilizing the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthana) and, more broadly, sustaining cosmic order.

What theological idea does the verse emphasize about God’s relationship to the world?

It emphasizes divine compassion and providence: the Lord of the universe actively sustains creation, not merely as a distant ruler but as a supportive presence who bears the weight of cosmic processes.

What ethical or devotional lesson can be drawn from this imagery?

The imagery suggests steadiness and service: just as the Lord supports what is necessary for the welfare of the world, devotees are encouraged to cultivate reliability, humility, and compassionate support for dharmic endeavors.