Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 20

Bhāgavata-Māhātmya and the Complete Summary of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Devanagari script

कौर्मं मात्स्यं नारसिंहं वामनं च जगत्पते: । क्षीरोदमथनं तद्वदमृतार्थे दिवौकसाम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

kaurmaṁ mātsyaṁ nārasiṁhaṁ vāmanaṁ ca jagat-pateḥ kṣīroda-mathanaṁ tadvad amṛtārthe divaukasām

Translation

Bhāgavatam cũng kể về sự thị hiện của Đấng Chủ Tể vũ trụ trong các hình tướng Kūrma, Matsya, Narasiṁha và Vāmana, cùng việc chư thiên khuấy Biển Sữa để cầu amṛta (cam lộ).

Synonyms

• कौर्मम्: the Kūrma (tortoise) [incarnation/episode]
• कौर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; accusative singular neuter

• मात्स्यम्: the Matsya (fish) [incarnation/episode]
• मात्स्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मात्स्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular neuter

• नारसिंहम्: the Narasiṁha (man-lion) [incarnation/episode]
• नारसिंहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (नर-सिंह); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular neuter

• वामनम्: the Vāmana (dwarf) [incarnation/episode]
• वामनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular neuter

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• जगत्-पतेः: of the Lord of the universe
• जगत्-पतेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (जगतः पतिः); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; genitive singular masculine

• क्षीर-उद-मथनम्: the churning of the Milk Ocean
• क्षीर-उद-मथनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर + उद (उदन्) + मथन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (क्षीर-उद/क्षीर-समुद्रस्य मथनम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular neuter

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्वत् (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानार्थक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘likewise/in the same manner’)

• अमृत-अर्थे: for the sake of nectar
• अमृत-अर्थे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमृत + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी-तत्पुरुष/उद्देश्य-भाव (अमृतस्य अर्थे = अमृत-प्राप्त्यर्थम्); पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; locative singular masculine (purpose-locative)

• दिवौकसाम्: of the gods (heaven-dwellers)
• दिवौकसाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव् + ओकस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (दिवि ओकः यस्य/दिवि ओकसः); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; genitive plural masculine

Characters & Entities

• Kūrma
• Matsya
• Nṛsiṁha
• Vāmana
• Devas (Divaukas)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Kūrma, Matsya, Nṛsiṁha, and Vāmana avatāras?

This verse notes that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam includes accounts of these four divine incarnations of the Lord of the universe, presenting them as key sacred topics to be heard and remembered.

Why did the demigods churn the Milk Ocean (Kṣīrodā-mathana) according to the Bhagavatam?

They churned the Ocean of Milk for the sake of obtaining amṛta—nectar—highlighting the famous episode where the devas sought restoration and divine boon through that churning.

How can a modern reader apply the teaching of this verse in daily life?

By regularly hearing, reading, or reciting the Lord’s avatāra-līlās and reflecting on them as essential Bhāgavatam topics, one can nourish devotion and keep spiritual priorities above temporary gains.