Shloka 16
Viṣṇu as Seed-Cause: Pañcarātra Emanations, Tattva-Unfolding, and the Avatāra Chronology
ततो हरिर्जगृहे कूर्मरूपं सुरासुराणामुदधिं विमथ्नताम् / पृष्ठे धर्तुं मन्दरं पर्वतं च ब्रह्माण्डं वा धर्तुमीशो महात्मा
tato harirjagṛhe kūrmarūpaṃ surāsurāṇāmudadhiṃ vimathnatām / pṛṣṭhe dhartuṃ mandaraṃ parvataṃ ca brahmāṇḍaṃ vā dhartumīśo mahātmā
அப்போது ஹரி கூர்ம அவதாரத்தை ஏற்றார்; தேவர்கள் மற்றும் அசுரர்கள் கடலைக் கடைந்தபோது, மகாத்மையான ஈசன் தன் முதுகில் மந்தர மலைையை—தேவைப்பட்டால் முழு பிரம்மாண்டத்தையும் கூட—தாங்கினார்।
Lord Vishnu (Hari), as narrated within the Garuda–Vishnu dialogue context
Concept: Īśvara as dhartā—God sustains the world and bears the burden of cosmic processes for the welfare of beings.
Vedantic Theme: Jagat-ādhāra (Brahman/Īśvara as substratum and support) and līlā as ordered cosmic function.
Application: Cultivate trust and steadiness in upheaval; remember Viṣṇu as the supporter of dharma when collective efforts ‘churn’ life’s ocean.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: cosmic ocean and mountain (mythic axis)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.15 (avatāra-stuti/summary of Viṣṇu’s manifestations)
FAQs
This verse highlights Vishnu’s Kurma form as the stabilizing foundation for Samudra Manthana, symbolizing divine support that makes transformative spiritual effort possible.
By portraying the Lord as the bearer of Mandara and even the brahmanda, the verse teaches that individual striving (like churning) succeeds when aligned with dharma and supported by the sustaining divine order.
Undertake disciplined effort with steadiness—be the “support” in your duties—remembering that lasting results come from stability, patience, and alignment with higher principles.