Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 42
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
तत: करतलीकृत्य व्यापि हालाहलं विषम् । अभक्षयन्महादेव: कृपया भूतभावन: ॥ ४२ ॥
tataḥ karatalī-kṛtya vyāpi hālāhalaṁ viṣam abhakṣayan mahā-devaḥ kṛpayā bhūta-bhāvanaḥ
Sau đó, Mahādeva, Đấng nuôi dưỡng muôn loài, vì lòng từ bi đã hứng lấy độc Hālāhala đang lan khắp vào lòng bàn tay và uống trọn vẹn.
Although there was such a great quantity of poison that it spread all over the universe, Lord Śiva had such great power that he reduced the poison to a small quantity so that he could hold it in his palm. One should not try to imitate Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva can do whatever he likes, but those who try to imitate Lord Śiva by smoking ganja and other poisonous things will certainly be killed because of such activities.
FAQs
Because the poison had spread everywhere and threatened all beings, Mahādeva compassionately drank it as Bhūta-bhāvana, the benefactor of all living entities.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating to King Parīkṣit, describing how Lord Śiva protected the universe by consuming the Hālāhala poison.
It teaches selfless compassion—taking responsibility to reduce harm to others—and using one’s strength and position in service of the greater good.