Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 38
Durvasa’s Curse, the Churning of the Ocean, and Lakshmi’s Manifestation
Chapter 4
विबुधाः सहिताः सर्वे यतः पुच्छं ततः स्थिताः । विष्णुना वासुकेर्द्दैत्याः पूर्वकाये निवेशिताः
vibudhāḥ sahitāḥ sarve yataḥ pucchaṃ tataḥ sthitāḥ | viṣṇunā vāsukerddaityāḥ pūrvakāye niveśitāḥ
ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਪਾਸੇ ਖੜੇ ਹੋਏ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਵਾਸੁਕੀ ਦੀ ਪੁੱਛ ਸੀ; ਅਤੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਨੂ ਨੇ ਦੈਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਾਸੁਕੀ ਦੇ ਅੱਗਲੇ ਭਾਗ, ਸਿਰ ਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ, ਠਹਿਰਾਇਆ।
Narrator (contextual Purāṇic narration; specific dialogue pair not identifiable from this single verse alone)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वासुकेर्द्दैत्याः = वासुकेः + दैत्याः (ः + द → र्द).
FAQs
It refers to the Samudra-manthana (churning of the ocean), where Vāsuki serves as the churning rope and the Devas and Daityas take positions on opposite ends.
In Purāṇic retellings, the tail side is portrayed as the safer/less dangerous end, while the head side can be perilous due to venom and force—highlighting strategic placement in the cosmic endeavor.
The verse underscores Viṣṇu’s role as cosmic governor: outcomes depend not merely on strength but on dharmic order and divine oversight guiding even rival factions toward a larger purpose.