Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 2
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
Devanagari script
हरि: पुरस्ताज्जगृहे पूर्वं देवास्ततोऽभवन् ॥ २ ॥
Transliteration
hariḥ purastāj jagṛhe pūrvaṁ devās tato ’bhavan
Translation
至高人格神阿吉达（哈利）先握住蛇的前端，随后诸天跟随其后。
Synonyms
hariḥHari
hariḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Roothari (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st), Singular
purastātin front
purastāt:
Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootpurastāt (अव्यय)
FormIndeclinable adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) meaning ‘in front/at the front’
jagṛhetook/held
jagṛhe:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√grah (धातु)
FormPerfect (लिट्), 3rd Person, Singular, Parasmaipada
pūrvamfirst
pūrvam:
Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootpūrvam (अव्यय)
FormIndeclinable adverb (कालवाचक) ‘first/previously’
devāḥthe gods
devāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootdeva (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st), Plural
tataḥthen
tataḥ:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottataḥ (अव्यय)
FormIndeclinable adverb (क्रम/हेतु) ‘then/thereupon’
abhavanbecame/were (placed)
abhavan:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√bhū (धातु)
FormImperfect (लङ्), 3rd Person, Plural, Parasmaipada
Characters & Entities
H
HariD
DevasFAQs
This verse states that Hari is established at the forefront from the very beginning, indicating the devas and all cosmic order depend upon Him.
In the Samudra-manthana narrative, the devas seek success and protection; Śukadeva highlights that their power and even their standing are secondary to Hari’s supreme position.
Prioritize devotion and God-centered values before seeking worldly support—aligning actions with dharma makes outcomes steadier, just as the devas depend on Hari.