Vyasadev
Praneetha
The Mad Bhagavatam
Chapter 7
Lord S'iva Drinks the Poison Churned with the Mountain Mandara and Saves the Universe
The summary of the Seventh Chapter is as follows. As described in this chapter, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His incarnation as a tortoise, dove deep into the ocean to carry Mandara Mountain on His back. At first the churning of the ocean produced kālakūṭa poison. Everyone feared this poison, but Lord Śiva satisfied them by drinking it.
With the understanding that when the nectar was generated from the churning they would share it equally, the demigods and the demons brought Vāsuki to be used as the rope for the churning rod. By the expert arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons held the snake near the mouth, whereas the demigods held the tail of the great snake. Then, with great endeavor, they began pulling the snake in both directions. Because the churning rod, Mandara Mountain, was very heavy and was not held by any support in the water, it sank into the ocean, and in this way the prowess of both the demons and the demigods was vanquished. The Supreme Personality of Godhead then appeared in the form of a tortoise and supported Mandara Mountain on His back. Then the churning resumed with great force. As a result of the churning, a huge amount of poison was produced. The prajāpatis, seeing no one else to save them, approached Lord Śiva and offered him prayers full of truth. Lord Śiva is called Āśutoṣa because he is very pleased if one is a devotee. Therefore he easily agreed to drink all the poison generated by the churning. The goddess Durgā, Bhavānī, the wife of Lord Śiva, was not at all disturbed when Lord Śiva agreed to drink the poison, for she knew Lord Śiva's prowess. Indeed, she expressed her pleasure at this agreement. Then Lord Śiva gathered the devastating poison, which was everywhere. He took it in his hand and drank it. After he drank the poison, his neck became bluish. A small quantity of the poison dropped from his hands to the ground, and it is because of this poison that there are poisonous snakes, scorpions, toxic plants and other poisonous things in this world.
8.7.1
amṛtārthe kurūdvaha
(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'De Sura's invited the king of the snakes, Vâsuki, promising him a share and wound him around the mountain to serve as a churning rope. Thereupon commenced they in great glee with the job of trying for the nectar, o best of the Kurus.
8.7.2
(2) Lord Hari took him first by the head and the godly followed His example.
8.7.3
(3) The daitya leaders didn't like the arrangement and thought to the mature and outstanding knowledge of their study, their birth and experience: 'None of us will try the tail of the serpent because that is the inferior part'.
The demons thought that the front of the snake was auspicious and that catching hold of that portion would be more chivalrous. Moreover, Daityas must always do the opposite of the demigods. That is their nature. We have actually seen this in relation to our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We are advocating cow protection and encouraging people to drink more milk and eat palatable preparations made of milk, but the demons, just to protest such proposals, are claiming that they are advanced in scientific knowledge, as described here by the words svādhyāya-śruta-sampannāḥ. They say that according to their scientific way, they have discovered that milk is dangerous and that the beef obtained by killing cows is very nutritious. This difference of opinion will always continue. Indeed, it has existed since days of yore. Millions of years ago, there was the same competition. The demons, as a result of their so-called Vedic study, preferred to hold the side of the snake near the mouth. The Supreme Personality of Godhead thought it wise to catch hold of the dangerous part of the snake and allow the demons to hold the tail, which was not dangerous, but because of a competitive desire, the demons thought it wise to hold the snake near the mouth. If the demigods were going to drink poison, the demons would resolve, "Why should we not share the poison and die gloriously by drinking it?"
In regard to the words svādhyāya-śruta-sampannāḥ prakhyātā janma-karmabhiḥ, another question may be raised. If one is actually educated in Vedic knowledge, is famous for performing prescribed activities and has been born in a great aristocratic family, why should he be called a demon? The answer is that one may be highly educated and may have been born in an aristocratic family, but if he is godless, if he does not listen to the instructions of God, then he is a demon. There are many examples in history of men like Hiraṇyakaśipu, Rāvaṇa and Kaḿsa who were well educated, who were born in aristocratic families and who were very powerful and chivalrous in fighting, but who, because of deriding the Supreme Personality of Godhead, were called Rākṣasas, or demons. One may be very well educated, but if he has no sense of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, no obedience to the Supreme Lord, he is a demon. That is described by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (7.15):
na māḿ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ
prapadyante narādhamāḥ
māyayāpahṛta-jñānā
"Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Me." Āsuraḿ bhāvam refers to not accepting the existence of God or the transcendental instructions of the Personality of Godhead. Bhagavad-gītā clearly consists of transcendental instructions imparted directly by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But asuras, instead of accepting these instructions directly, make commentaries according to their own whimsical ways and mislead everyone, without profit even for themselves. One should therefore be very careful of demoniac, godless persons. According to the words of Lord Kṛṣṇa, even if a godless demon is very well educated, he must be considered a mūḍha, narādhama and māyayāpahṛta jñāna.8.7.4
vilokya puruṣottamaḥ
smayamāno visṛjyāgraḿ
(4) Seeing how consequently the Daityas kept silent, smiled the Supreme Personality. He gave up the front portion and grasped with the demigods the rear end.
8.7.5
mamanthuḥ paramaḿ yattā
amṛtārthaḿ payo-nidhim
(5) Thus settling the positions for where to hold, did they, the sons of Kas'yapa [godly and demoniac], with great zeal churn to get the nectar from the ocean of milk.
8.7.6
mathyamāne 'rṇave so 'drir
anādhāro hy apo 'viśat
dhriyamāṇo 'pi balibhir
(6) As they were churning sank of its weight, having no support, that hill down in the water despite of it being captured by the strong, o son of Pându.
8.7.7
daivenātibalīyasā
(7) Heavily disappointed, dried all of the beauty of their faces up as they saw how their efforts by the stronger will of God were overruled.
8.7.8
duranta-vīryo 'vitathābhisandhiḥ
(8) When He saw how by divine intervention the mountain sank, expanded the Infallible Controller whose ways and powers are so inscrutable, Himself into the wondrous body of a giant tortoise, entered He the water and lifted He [Kurma] it up [see also Das'âvatâra-stotra verse 2].
Here is evidence that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme controller of everything. As we have previously described, there are two classes of men — the demons and the demigods — but neither of them are supremely powerful. Everyone has experienced that hindrances are imposed upon us by the supreme power. The demons regard these hindrances as mere accidents or chance, but devotees accept them to be acts of the supreme ruler. When faced with hindrances, therefore, devotees pray to the Lord. Tat te 'nukampāḿ susamīkṣamāṇo bhuñjāna evātma-kṛtaḿ vipākam. Devotees endure hindrances, accepting them to be caused by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and regarding them as benedictions. Demons, however, being unable to understand the supreme controller, regard such hindrances as accidental. Here, of course, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was present personally. It was by His will that there were hindrances, and by His will those hindrances were removed. The Lord appeared as a tortoise to support the great mountain. Kṣitir iha vipulatare tava tiṣṭhati pṛṣṭhe. The Lord held the great mountain on His back. Keśava dhṛta-kūrma-śarīra jaya jagadīśa hare. Dangers can be created by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and they can also be removed by Him. This is known to devotees, but demons cannot understand it.
8.7.9
samudyatā nirmathituḿ surāsurāḥ
prastāriṇā dvīpa ivāparo mahān
(9) Observing it being lifted cheered up as well Sura as Asura to churn the body that as a big island on top of another one stretched out on His back for a hundred thousand yojanas.
8.7.10
mene 'ńga-kaṇḍūyanam aprameyaḥ
(10) The rotating of the mountain moved by the strong arms of the sura and asura leaders, my best, was by the original tortoise who bore it on His back considered an infinitely pleasant scratching.
8.7.11
tathāsurān āviśad āsureṇa
(11) Thereafter, to encourage them and increase their strength and vigor, entered Lord Vishnu the Asuras in the form of their own quality [that of passion], infused He the godly with divinity [the mode of goodness], and assumed He the form of ignorance with the king of the serpents.
Everyone in this material world is under the different modes of material nature. There were three different parties in the churning of Mandara Mountain — the demigods, who were in the mode of goodness, the demons, who were in the mode of passion, and the snake Vāsuki, who was in the mode of ignorance. Since they were all becoming tired (Vāsuki so much so that he was almost going to die), Lord Viṣṇu, to encourage them to continue the work of churning the ocean, entered into them according to their respective modes of nature — goodness, passion and ignorance.
8.7.12
abhiṣṭuvadbhiḥ sumano-'bhivṛṣṭaḥ
(12) On top of the big mountain as another mountain grasping Mandara with one hand, exhibited He thousands of hands while from the sky Lord Brahmâ and S'iva headed by Indra offered Him prayers and showered Him with flowers.
8.7.13
(13) As well as on top as below, as with themselves, with the mountain and with the rope having entered as the Supreme, was the ocean that with great strength vehemently was churned, seriously agitated by the great rock, and were all the alligators disturbed.
8.7.14
śvāsāgni-dhūmāhata-varcaso 'surāḥ
(14) The serpent king heavily breathing in all directions, spitted by the thousands of him fire and smoke and thus affected with the heat of his radiation the Asuras headed by Pauloma, Kâleya, Bali and Ilvala who all began to look like sarala trees scorched in a forest fire.
8.7.15
dhūmrāmbara-srag-vara-kañcukānanān
samabhyavarṣan bhagavad-vaśā ghanā
(15) Also the godly were affected in their luster by his fiery breath that smoked their dresses, fine garlands, armament and faces; under the direction of the Supreme Lord it then profusely rained while breezes blew clouds of vapor from the waves of the ocean.
8.7.16
mathyamānāt tathā sindhor
nirmamanthājitaḥ svayam
(16) When the ocean to the best ability of the godly and Asuras was duly churned but no nectar appeared, began the Invincible One Himself to churn.
8.7.17
jaitrair dorbhir jagad-abhaya-dair dandaśūkaḿ gṛhītvā
(17) As dark as a cloud, in yellow silks, with lightning earrings on His ears, with His gleaming hair on His head disheveled, with His garland, reddish eyes and victorious arms securing the universe, churned He, after taking the snake, the churning rod for which the mountain was used and assumed He for that purpose a size as big as that of a mountain Himself.
The Lord appeared like a blackish cloud. He was dressed with yellow garments, His earrings shone on His ears like lightning, and His hair spread over His shoulders. He wore a garland of flowers, and His eyes were pinkish. With His strong, glorious arms, which award fearlessness throughout the universe, He took hold of Vāsuki and began churning the ocean, using Mandara Mountain as a churning rod. When engaged in this way, the Lord appeared like a beautifully situated mountain named Indranīla.
8.7.18
nirmathyamānād udadher abhūd viṣaḿ
maholbaṇaḿ hālahalāhvam agrataḥ
sambhrānta-mīnonmakarāhi-kacchapāt
(18) After first highly agitating all kinds of fish, sharks, snakes, all sorts of tortoises, whales, water-elephants, crocodiles and timingilas [whale-eating whales], appeared, with all the churning going on, from the ocean a very strong poison called Hâlahala [or Kâlakûtha, see 8.6: 25].
8.7.19
(19) That potent unbearable poison, unstoppable spreading in all directions high and low, scared all the people who together with their leaders found no rest, o my best, so that they, not being protected, sought the shelter of Lord S'iva's lotus feet.
One may question that since the Supreme Personality of Godhead was personally present, why did He accompany all the demigods and people in general to take shelter of Lord Sadāśiva, instead of intervening Himself. In this connection Śrīla Madhvācārya warns:
rudrasya yaśaso 'rthāya
vāyuḿ coce praśāntaye
Lord Viṣṇu was competent to rectify the situation, but in order to give credit to Lord Śiva, who later drank all the poison and kept it in his neck, Lord Viṣṇu did not take action.8.7.20
(20) When they saw him who for the welfare of the three worlds together with his wife sat on his mountain [Kailâsa], he, the best of the demigods hailed by the saints who in austerity walk the path of liberation in service, offered they him their obeisances.
8.7.21
(21) The leaders of mankind said: 'O Lord of Lords, o Mahâdeva, o soul of each, o love of all, deliver us, who took to your lotusfeet, from this poison burning the three worlds.
Since Lord Śiva is in charge of annihilation, why should he be approached for protection, which is given by Lord Viṣṇu? Lord Brahmā creates, and Lord Śiva annihilates, but both Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva are incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu and are known as śaktyāveśa-avatāras. They are endowed with a special power like that of Lord Viṣṇu, who is actually all-pervading in their activities. Therefore whenever prayers for protection are offered to Lord Śiva, actually Lord Viṣṇu is indicated, for otherwise Lord Śiva is meant for destruction. Lord Śiva is one of the īśvaras, or the controllers known as śaktyāveśa-avatāras. Therefore he can be addressed as having the qualities of Lord Viṣṇu.
8.7.22
īśvaro bandha-mokṣayoḥ
(22) You alone in the whole universe are the lord and master over bondage and liberation, you are the one we worship as persons seeking the fortune; you are the spiritual master to mitigate all distress.
Actually Lord Viṣṇu maintains and accomplishes all good fortune. If one has to take shelter of Lord Viṣṇu, why should the demigods take shelter of Lord Śiva? They did so because Lord Viṣṇu acts through Lord Śiva in the creation of the material world. Lord Śiva acts on behalf of Lord Viṣṇu. When the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (14.4) that He is the father of all living entities (ahaḿ bīja-pradaḥ pitā), this refers to actions performed by Lord Viṣṇu through Lord Śiva. Lord Viṣṇu is always unattached to material activities, and when material activities are to be performed, Lord Viṣṇu performs them through Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva is therefore worshiped on the level of Lord Viṣṇu. When Lord Viṣṇu is untouched by the external energy He is Lord Viṣṇu, but when He is in touch with the external energy, He appears in His feature as Lord Śiva.
8.7.23
(23) By the modes of matter, by your own potency, do you execute the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this material world, o mighty one, when you manifest yourself, o greatest, as Brahmâ, Vishnu or S'iva.
8.7.24
nānā-śaktibhir ābhātas
(24) You are the Brahman Supreme, the confidential of the cause and the effect of all the varieties of creation; you with all your potencies manifested are the Supersoul and the Controller of the universe.
8.7.25
prāṇendriya-dravya-guṇaḥ svabhāvaḥ
(25) You are the source of the [spiritual, vedic] sound, the origin of the universe, the Soul, the life breath, the senses and the elements, the modes of nature and the self-realization, the eternal time, the determination and the religiousness of the truth [satya] and truthfulness [rta]; it is unto you that one utters the original syllable consisting of the three letters [A-U-M].
8.7.26
(26) Fire, your mouth, represents the complete of all divine souls; the surface of the globe one does know, o love of all worlds, as your lotus feet; time is the progress of the aggregate of your demigods; the directions are your ears and the controller of the waters [Varuna] is your taste.
8.7.27
sūryaś ca cakṣūḿṣi jalaḿ sma retaḥ
parāvarātmāśrayaṇaḿ tavātmā
(27) With the sky as your navel, the air as your breath, the sun globe for your eyes, the water indeed as your semen, the moon as your mind and the higher worlds, o Lord, as your head, is your self the shelter of all living beings high and low [compare 8.5: 33-43].
8.7.28
chandāḿsi sākṣāt tava sapta dhātavas
(28) With the oceans as your belly, the mountains as your bones, the plants, creepers and herbs as your hairs and the mantras as your seven layers [koshas], are, o Vedas in person, all the religions the core of your heart [see also 2.1: 32].
8.7.29
mukhāni pañcopaniṣadas taveśa
yais triḿśad-aṣṭottara-mantra-vargaḥ
(29) The five options [basic texts] of philosophy [called Tatpurusha, Aghora, Sadyojâta,Vâmadeva, and Îs'âna] are your faces with the thirty-eight important mantras [*] that ascertain the reality of the Supersoul, the reality of you o Lord, celebrated as S'iva in the position of your self-illumination.
The five mantras mentioned in this connection are as follows: (1) Puruṣa, (2) Aghora, (3) Sadyojāta, (4) Vāmadeva, and (5) Īśāna. These five mantras are within the category of thirty-eight special Vedic mantras chanted by Lord Śiva, who is therefore celebrated as Śiva or Mahādeva. Another reason why Lord Śiva is called Śiva, which means "all-auspicious," is that he is self-illuminated, exactly like Lord Viṣṇu, who is the Paramātmā. Because Lord Śiva is directly an incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu, he is situated as Lord Viṣṇu's direct representative. This fact is corroborated by a Vedic mantra: patiḿ viśvasyātmeśvaraḿ śāśvatam. śivam acyutam. The Supersoul is called by many names, of which Maheśvara, Śiva and Acyuta are especially mentioned.
8.7.30
chāyā tv adharmormiṣu yair visargo
sāńkhyātmanaḥ śāstra-kṛtas tavekṣā
(30) The waves of irreligion [lust, anger, greed and illusion] constitute but your shadow, the shadow on the basis of which there are so many types of creation; your three eyes are the goodness, the passion and the darkness; your simply glancing over brought about the analytic scriptures of the soul, o Lord full of verses, o god of the vedic literatures and their supplements.
8.7.31
(31) None of the directors of the world, o Ruler on the Mountain, not Brahmâ, not Vishnu, nor the king of the Suras [Indra], can fathom your supreme effulgence, the impersonal spirit equal to gods and man, wherein the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness are not found.
The brahmajyoti is actually the effulgence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in Brahma-saḿhitā (5.40):
yasya prabhā prabhavato jagad-aṇḍa-koṭi-
"I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is endowed with great power. The glowing effulgence of His transcendental form is the impersonal Brahman, which is absolute, complete and unlimited and which displays the varieties of countless planets, with their different opulences, in millions and millions of universes." Although the impersonal feature of the Absolute is an expansion of the rays of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He does not need to take care of the impersonalists who enter the brahmajyoti. Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.4), mayā tatam idaḿ sarvaḿ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā: "In My impersonal feature I pervade this entire universe." Thus the avyakta-mūrti, the impersonal feature, is certainly an expansion of Kṛṣṇa's energy. Māyāvādīs, who prefer to merge into this Brahman effulgence, worship Lord Śiva. The mantras referred to in text 29 are called mukhāni pañcopaniṣadas taveśa. Māyāvādīs take all these mantras seriously in worshiping Lord Śiva. These mantras are as follows: (1) tat puruṣāya vidmahe śāntyai, (2) mahā-devāya dhīmahi vidyāyai, (3) tan no rudraḥ pratiṣṭhāyai, (4) pracodayāt dhṛtyai, (5) aghorebhyas tamā. .., (6) atha ghorebhyo mohā. .., (7) aghorebhyo rakṣā. .., (8) aghoratarebhyo nidrā. .., (9) sarvebhyaḥ sarva-vyādhyai, (10) sarva-sarvebhyo mṛtyave, (11) namas te 'stu kṣudhā. .., (12) rudra-rūpebhyas tṛṣṇā. .., (13) vāmadevāya rajā. .., (14) jyeṣṭhāya svāhā. .., (15) śreṣṭhāya ratyai, (16) rudrāya kalyāṇyai, (17) kālāya kāmā. .., (18) kala-vikaraṇāya sandhinyai, (19) bala-vikaraṇāya kriyā. .., (20) balāya vṛddhyai, (21) balacchāyā. .., (22) pramathanāya dhātryai, (23) sarva-bhūta-damanāya bhrāmaṇyai, (24) manaḥ-śoṣiṇyai, (25) unmanāya jvarā. .., (26) sadyojātaḿ prapadyāmi siddhyai, (27) sadyojātāya vai namaḥ ṛddhyai, (28) bhave dityai, (29) abhave lakṣmyai, (30) nātibhave medhā. .., (31) bhajasva māḿ kāntyai, (32) bhava svadhā. .., (33) udbhavāya prabhā. .., (34) īśānaḥ sarva-vidyānāḿ śaśinyai, (35) īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānām abhaya-dā. .. [Bg. 18.61], (36) brahmādhipatir brahmaṇodhipatir brahman brahmeṣṭa-dā. .., (37) śivo me astu marīcyai, (38) sadāśivaḥ jvālinyai.
The impersonal Brahman is unknown even to the other directors of the material creation, including Lord Brahmā, Lord Indra and even Lord Viṣṇu. This does not mean, however, that Lord Viṣṇu is not omniscient. Lord Viṣṇu is omniscient, but He does not need to understand what is going on in His all-pervading expansion. Therefore in Bhagavad-gītā the Lord says that although everything is an expansion of Him (mayā tatam idaḿ sarvam), He does not need to take care of everything (na cāhaḿ teṣv avasthitaḥ), since there are various directors like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Indra.
8.7.32
(32) In this world which, having originated from you, is being destroyed by the sparks of the fire from your eyes at the time of annihilation, have you burned to ashes Tripura [7.10: 53], the sacrifices of desire [see e.g. 4.5], the poison of time [in this story], and many other forms of trouble to the living beings; but these matters do, because you keep this world out of your mind, not serve the praise of you.
8.7.33
(33) People who by the self-satisfied spiritual masters within their hearts think of your two lotus feet as moving with Umâ your consort do, later on in their penance, criticize your acts and consider you in the crematorium not always a nice person; they indeed being of such a shameless attitude do not understand your activities.
Lord Śiva is the topmost Vaiṣṇava (vaiṣṇavānāḿ yathā śambhuḥ). It is therefore said, vaiṣṇavera kriyā-mudrā vijñe nā bujhaya. Even the most intelligent person cannot understand what a Vaiṣṇava like Lord Śiva is doing or how he is acting. Those who are conquered by lusty desires and anger cannot estimate the glories of Lord Śiva, whose position is always transcendental. In all the activities associated with lusty desires, Lord Śiva is an implement of ātma-rāma. Ordinary persons, therefore, should not try to understand Lord Śiva and his activities. One who tries to criticize the activities of Lord Śiva is shameless.
8.7.34
nāñjaḥ svarūpa-gamane prabhavanti bhūmnaḥ
brahmādayaḥ kim uta saḿstavane vayaḿ tu
(34) For the reason of that being transcendentally situated above the moving and the nonmoving, are you difficult to understand; and when it is not possible for even Brahmâ and the ones belonging to him to comprehend your reality as-it-is, o great one, how much wouldn't that be true for us? Even though we are but creations to the creation [that is of Brahmâ] do we, to our ability, offer you our prayers.
Even personalities like Lord Brahmā and other demigods cannot understand your position, for you are beyond the moving and nonmoving creation. Since no one can understand you in truth, how can one offer you prayers? It is impossible. As far as we are concerned, we are creatures of Lord Brahmā's creation. Under the circumstances, therefore, we cannot offer you adequate prayers, but as far as our ability allows, we have expressed our feelings.
8.7.35
vyaktis te 'vyakta-karmaṇaḥ
(35) With all things transcendental we cannot see the actual supreme position of you who indeed are there for the happiness of the manifested world, o great controller not known in your activities.'
8.7.36
(36) S'rî S'uka said: 'Seeing their pernicious predicament spoke he, Mahâdeva, the friend of all living beings out of his compassion for the great sorrow to his consort Satî.
8.7.37
kṣīroda-mathanodbhūtāt
kālakūṭād upasthitam
(37) Lord S'iva said: 'Dear Bhavânî, how pitiable this situation of all the living beings, just see how threatening the present situation is because of all the poison produced from the churning of the ocean.
8.7.38
(38) Feeling responsible for all of their lives must I indeed do something for their safety; considered their master is it my duty to protect the ones suffering.
8.7.39
(39) Devotees protect with their own life other living beings who time bound, bewildered by the external energy, are of enmity with one another.
This is the characteristic of a Vaiṣṇava. Para-duḥkha-duḥkhī: a Vaiṣṇava is always unhappy to see the conditioned souls unhappy. Otherwise, he would have no business teaching them how to become happy. In materialistic life, people must certainly engage in activities of animosity. Materialistic life is therefore compared to saḿsāra-dāvānala, a blazing forest fire that automatically takes place. Lord Śiva and his followers in the paramparā system try to save people from this dangerous condition of materialistic life. This is the duty of devotees following the principles of Lord Śiva and belonging to the Rudra-sampradāya. There are four Vaiṣṇava sampradāyas, and the Rudra-sampradāya is one of them because Lord Śiva (Rudra) is the best of the Vaiṣṇavas (vaiṣṇavānāḿ yathā śambhuḥ). Indeed, as we shall see, Lord Śiva drank all the poison for the benefit of humanity.
8.7.40
(40) Doing good to others o gentle one, is the Soul of All, the Lord, pleased and because the Supreme Personality of the Lord is pleased are also I and all other moving and nonmoving entities happy; let me therefore drink this poison so that there from me will be the well-being of all creatures.'
8.7.41
prabhāva-jñānvamodata
(41) S'rî S'uka said: 'Lord S'iva, the well-wisher of the universe, this way addressing Bhavânî then began, with the permission of her knowing the best of him, to drink the poison.
8.7.42
(42) Mahâdeva thereto took the widespread Hâlahala poison in his hand and drank it compassionately for the good of all living beings.
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.
8.7.43
tac ca sādhor vibhūṣaṇam
(43) To him exhibited that poison from the water its potency by giving his neck a bluish line, the line that in the eyes of the saintly person is an ornament.
8.7.44
puruṣasyākhilātmanaḥ
(44) The saints as good as always voluntarily take upon them the sufferings of the common people; that action of theirs is truly the highest form of worship of the original person, the complete of the soul [see also 1.5: 17-19, B.G. 18: 68-69 and 4: 7-8].
Here is an explanation of how those engaged in activities for the welfare of others are very quickly recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (18.68-69), ya idaḿ paramaḿ guhyaḿ mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati. .. na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ: "One who preaches the message of Bhagavad-gītā to My devotees is most dear to Me. No one can excel him in satisfying Me by worship." There are different kinds of welfare activities in this material world, but the supreme welfare activity is the spreading of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Other welfare activities cannot be effective, for the laws of nature and the results of karma cannot be checked. It is by destiny, or the laws of karma, that one must suffer or enjoy. For instance, if one is given a court order, he must accept it, whether it brings suffering or profit. Similarly, everyone is under obligations to karma and it reactions. No one can change this. Therefore the śāstra says:
tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido
(Bhāg. 1.5.18)
One should endeavor for that which is never obtained by wandering up and down the universe as a result of the reactions of karma. What is that? One should endeavor to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. If one tries to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world, he should be understood to be performing the best welfare activity. The Lord is automatically very pleased with him. If the Lord is pleased with him, what is left for him to achieve? If one has been recognized by the Lord, even if he does not ask the Lord for anything, the Lord, who is within everyone, supplies him whatever he wants. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (teṣāḿ nityābhiyuktānāḿ yoga-kṣemaḿ vahāmy aham [Bg. 9.22]). Again, as stated here, tapyante loka-tāpena sādhavaḥ prāyaśo janāḥ. The best welfare activity is raising people to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, since the conditioned souls are suffering only for want of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Lord Himself also comes to mitigate the suffering of humanity.
yadā yadā hi dharmasya
tadātmānaḿ sṛjāmy aham
dharma-saḿsthāpanārthāya
"Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion — at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium." (Bg. 4.7-8) All the śāstras conclude, therefore, that spreading the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is the best welfare activity in the world. Because of the ultimate benefit this bestows upon people in general, the Lord very quickly recognizes such service performed by a devotee.8.7.45
vaikuṇṭhaś ca śaśaḿsire
(45) Hearing of that act of S'iva, the god of gods, the graceful one, was he highly praised by all the people, by the daughter of Daksha [Satî see also 4.3 & 4], and by Brahmâ and the Lord of Vaikuntha.
8.7.46
praskannaḿ pibataḥ pāṇer
vṛścikāhi-viṣauṣadhyo
(46) And to the little bit that was scattered here and there as he drank from the palm, attended some other known living creatures like scorpions, cobras and other poisonous animals and plants.
*: The thirty-six mantras called pañcopanishadas taves'a are: (1) tat purushâya vidmahe s'ântyai, (2) mahâ-devâya dhîmahi vidyâyai, (3) tan no rudrah pratishthhâyai, (4) pracodayât dhrityai, (5) aghorebhyas tamâ, (6) atha ghorebhyo mohâ, (7) aghorebhyo rakshâ, (8) aghoratarebhyo nidrâ, (9) sarvebhyah sarva-vyâdhyai, (10) sarva-sarvebhyo mrityave, (11) namas te 'stu kshudhâ, (12) rudra-rûpebhyas trishnâ, (13) vamadevâya rajâ, (14) jyeshthhâya svâhâ, (15) s'reshthhâya ratyai, (16) rudrâya kalyânyai, (17) kâlâya kâmâ, (18) kala-vikaranâya sandhinyai, (19) bala-vikaranâya kriyâ, (20) balâya vriddhyai, (21) balacchâyâ, (22) pramathanâya dhâtryai, (23) sarva-bhûta-damanâya bhrâmanyai, (24) manah-s'oshinyai, (25) unmanâya jvarâ, (26) sadyojâtam prapadyâmi siddhyai, (27) sadyojâtâya vai namah riddhyai, (28) bhave dityai, (29) abhave lakshmyai, (30) nâtibhave medhâ, (31) bhajasva mâm kântyai, (32) bhava svadhâ, (33) udbhavâya prabhâ, (34) îs'ânah sarva-vidyânâm s'as'inyai, (35) îs'varah sarva-bhûtânâm abhaya-dâ, (36) brahmâdhipatir brahmanodhipatir brahman brahmeshtha-dâ, (37) s'ivo me astu marîcyai, (38) sadâs'ivah jvâlinyai.
Canlto 8
Chapter 8
More Appears from the Churning: Mother Lakshmî and Dhanvantari
This chapter describes how the goddess of fortune appeared during the churning of the ocean of milk and how she accepted Lord Viṣṇu as her husband. As described later in the chapter, when Dhanvantari appeared with a pot of nectar the demons immediately snatched it from him, but Lord Viṣṇu appeared as the incarnation Mohinī, the most beautiful woman in the world, just to captivate the demons and save the nectar for the demigods.
After Lord Śiva drank all the poison, both the demigods and demons took courage and resumed their activities of churning. Because of this churning, first a surabhi cow was produced. Great saintly persons accepted this cow to derive clarified butter from its milk and offer this clarified butter in oblations for great sacrifices. Thereafter, a horse named Uccaiḥśravā was generated. This horse was taken by Bali Mahārāja. Then there appeared Airāvata and other elephants that could go anywhere in any direction, and she-elephants also appeared. The gem known as Kaustubha was also generated, and Lord Viṣṇu took that gem and placed it on His chest. Thereafter, a pārijāta flower and the Apsarās, the most beautiful women in the universe, were generated. Then the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, appeared. The demigods, great sages, Gandharvas and others offered her their respectful worship. The goddess of fortune could not find anyone to accept as her husband. At last she selected Lord Viṣṇu to be her master. Lord Viṣṇu gave her a place to stay everlastingly at His chest. Because of this combination of Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, all who were present, including the demigods and people in general, were very pleased. The demons, however, being neglected by the goddess of fortune, were very depressed. Then Vāruṇī, the goddess of drinking, was generated, and by the order of Lord Viṣṇu the demons accepted her. Then the demons and demigods, with renewed energy, began to churn again. This time a partial incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu called Dhanvantari appeared. He was very beautiful, and he carried a jug containing nectar. The demons immediately snatched the jug from Dhanvantari's hand and began to run away, and the demigods, being very morose, took shelter of Viṣṇu. After the demons snatched the jug from Dhanvantari, they began to fight among themselves. Lord Viṣṇu solaced the demigods, who therefore did not fight, but remained silent. While the fighting was going on among the demons, the Lord Himself appeared as the incarnation Mohinī, the most beautiful woman in the universe.
8.8.1
havirdhānī tato 'bhavat
(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'When the poison was drunk by him who rides the bull resumed all the immortals and Dânavas very pleased the churning of the ocean and was from the great force of it generated the cow of plenty [the surabhi, the source of the ghee].
The surabhi cow is described as havirdhānī, the source of butter. Butter, when clarified by melting, produces ghee, or clarified butter, which is inevitably necessary for performing great ritualistic sacrifices. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (18. 5), yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaḿ kāryam eva tat: sacrifice, charity and austerity are essential to keep human society perfect in peace and prosperity. Yajña, the performance of sacrifice, is essential; to perform yajña, clarified butter is absolutely necessary; and to get clarified butter, milk is necessary. Milk is produced when there are sufficient cows. Therefore in Bhagavad-gītā (18.44), cow protection is recommended (kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaḿ vaiśya-karma svabhāva jam).
8.8.2
(2) The sages conversant with the injunctions for the yajñas took charge of her, o King, because she, from the clarified butter, was fit for making oblations with the fire sacrifices and the progress towards God.
Surabhi cows are generally found on the Vaikuṇṭha planets. As described in Brahma-saḿhitā, Lord Kṛṣṇa, on His planet, Goloka Vṛndāvana, engages in tending the surabhi cows (surabhīr abhipālayantam [Bs. 5.29]). These cows are the Lord's pet animals. From the surabhi cows one can take as much milk as one needs, and one may milk these cows as many times as he desires. In other words, the surabhi cow can yield milk unlimitedly. Milk is necessary for the performance of yajña. Sages know how to use milk to elevate human society to the perfection of life. Since cow protection is recommended everywhere in the śāstras, the brahmā vādīs took charge of the surabhi cow, in which the demons were not very interested.
8.8.3
hayo 'bhūc candra-pāṇḍuraḥ
(3) Next was generated a horse white as the moon, named Uccaihs'ravâ, that Mahârâja Bali liked to have, while Indra desisted from the claim on the advise of the Lord [see B.G. 10: 27 and compare 4.19: 23].
8.8.4
vāraṇendro vinirgataḥ
dantaiś caturbhiḥ śvetādrer
(4) Thereafter was produced the king of resistance, the elephant Airâvata who white, with four tusks, defied the mountain [Kailâsa] that is the glory of the First Devotee [Lord S'iva, see 6.11: 11 and again B.G. 10: 27].
8.8.5
airāvaṇādayas tv aṣṭau
(5) Airâvana preceded eight elephants to each direction of the sky and following him was also generated a group of eight she-elephants headed by one named Abhramu, o King.
8.8.6
kaustubhākhyam abhūd ratnaḿ
padmarāgo mahodadheḥ
vakṣo-'lańkaraṇe hariḥ
tato 'bhavat pārijātaḥ
pūrayaty arthino yo 'rthaiḥ
(6) Next was from the wide expanse of milk generated a valuable gem known as the Kaustubha and another one named Padmarâga; Lord Hari who desired their possession decorated His chest with them. Thereupon was generated the pârijâta flower which embellishes the heavenly places and thereby fulfills the wishes of the ones desiring wealth in much the same way, o King, as you always fulfill the wishes in the world.
8.8.7
tataś cāpsaraso jātā
gati-līlāvalokanaiḥ
(7) Then were also generated the Apsaras, who exquisitely dressed and decorated with gold were the extremely beautiful and attractive inhabitants of heaven who smoothly moving divert each his heart.
8.8.8
tataś cāvirabhūt sākṣāc
(8) After that manifested directly the Goddess of Splendor [Ramâ or Lakshmî] herself who along with the Lord illumined all directions with her lightening luster as Saudâmanî [lit.: forked lightening, also the sorceress; to deal with that splendor see the 'peace formula' of B.G. 5: 29].
Śrī means opulence. Kṛṣṇa is the owner of all opulences.
bhoktāraḿ yajña-tapasāḿ
This peace formula for the world is given in Bhagavad-gītā (5.29). When people know that the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, is the supreme enjoyer, the supreme proprietor and the most intimate well-wishing friend of all living entities, peace and prosperity will ensue all over the world. Unfortunately, the conditioned souls, being placed into illusion by the external energy of the Lord, want to fight with one another, and therefore peace is disturbed. The first prerequisite for peace is that all the wealth presented by Śrī, the goddess of fortune, be offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everyone should give up his false proprietorship over worldly possessions and offer everything to Kṛṣṇa. This is the teaching of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
8.8.9
sasurāsura-mānavāḥ
rūpaudārya-vayo-varṇa-
mahimākṣipta-cetasaḥ
(9) Each Sura, Asura and human being desired her, as the magnificent beauty of her features, youth, complexion and glories caught their minds.
Who in this world does not want to possess wealth, beauty and the social respectability that come from these opulences? People generally desire material enjoyment, material opulence and the association of aristocratic family members (bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānām). Material enjoyment entails money, beauty and the reputation they bring, which can all be achieved by the mercy of the goddess of fortune. The goddess of fortune, however, never remains alone. As indicated in the previous verse by the word bhagavat-parā, she is the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is enjoyable only by Him. If one wants the favor of the goddess of fortune, mother Lakṣmī, because she is by nature bhagavat-parā one must keep her with Nārāyaṇa. The devotees who always engage in the service of Nārāyaṇa (nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa) can easily achieve the favor of the goddess of fortune without a doubt, but materialists who try to get the favor of the goddess of fortune only to possess her for personal enjoyment are frustrated. Theirs is not a good policy. The celebrated demon Rāvaṇa, for example, wanted to deprive Rāmacandra of Lakṣmī, Sītā, and thus be victorious, but the result was just the opposite. Sītā, of course, was taken by force by Lord Rāmacandra, and Rāvaṇa and his entire material empire were vanquished. The goddess of fortune is desirable for everyone, including human beings, but one should understand that the goddess of fortune is the exclusive property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One cannot achieve the mercy of the goddess of fortune unless one prays both to her and to the supreme enjoyer, the Personality of Godhead.
8.8.10
mahendro mahad-adbhutam
mūrtimatyaḥ saric-chreṣṭhā
(10) The king of heaven arranged for her a seat and all the glorious and wonderful, sacred rivers and reservoirs assumed with their filling of golden waterpots thus a form with their pure waters.
8.8.11
ābhiṣecanikā bhūmir
āharat sakalauṣadhīḥ
(11) The land delivered the complete of all the necessities and herbs for installing the deity; the cows contributed with the pure of their five products [milk, yogurt, ghee, dung and urine] and springtime brought together her fresh flowers and fruits.
Pañca-gavya, the five products received from the cow, namely milk, yogurt, ghee, cow dung and cow urine, are required in all ritualistic ceremonies performed according to the Vedic directions. Cow urine and cow dung are uncontaminated, and since even the urine and dung of a cow are important, we can just imagine how important this animal is for human civilization. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, directly advocates go-rakṣya, the protection of cows. Civilized men who follow the system of varṇāśrama, especially those of the vaiśya class, who engage in agriculture and trade, must give protection to the cows. Unfortunately, because people in Kali-yuga are mandāḥ, all bad, and sumanda-matayaḥ, misled by false conceptions of life, they are killing cows in the thousands. Therefore they are unfortunate in spiritual consciousness, and nature disturbs them in so many ways, especially through incurable diseases like cancer and through frequent wars and among nations. As long as human society continues to allow cows to be regularly killed in slaughterhouses, there cannot be any question of peace and prosperity.
8.8.12
(12) The sages performed the ceremony of installation as is prescribed to which for all good fortune the Gandharvas chanted the lore while their women did their best to dance to the occasion and sing mantras.
8.8.13
murajānaka-gomukhān
vīṇās tumula-niḥsvanān
(13) The clouds vibrated the two-sided drums, kettledrums, murajas and ânakas [two other types of drums] and with the sounds of bugles, conch shells, flutes and vînas it was a great tumult.
8.8.14
tato 'bhiṣiṣicur devīḿ
sūkta-vākyair dvijeritaiḥ
(14) Next poured the great elephants jugs full of sacred water over the [deity of the] chaste goddess so beautiful with the lotus in her hand, while the twice-born were chanting hymns [see also a classic picture of Lakshmî].
The goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, is described in this verse as śriyam, which means that she has six opulences — wealth, strength, influence, beauty, knowledge and renunciation. These opulences are received from the goddess of fortune. Lakṣmī is addressed here as devī, the goddess, because in Vaikuṇṭha she supplies all opulences to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees, who in this way enjoy natural life in the Vaikuṇṭha planets. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased with His consort, the goddess of fortune, who carries a lotus flower in her hand. Mother Lakṣmī is described in this verse as satī, the supremely chaste, because she never diverts her attention from the Supreme Personality of Godhead to anyone else.
8.8.15
(15) The ocean presented yellow silks for her to dress herself from top to bottom and Varuna brought the biggest garland together with drunken bumblebees to its sweetness.
8.8.16
(16) From Prajâpati Vis'vakarmâ there was a choice of ornaments, Sarasvatî [the goddess of learning] supplied a necklace, Lord Brahmâ provided a lotus flower and the Nâgas [the excellent] brought earrings.
8.8.17
nadad-dvirephāḿ parigṛhya pāṇinā
cacāla vaktraḿ sukapola-kuṇḍalaḿ
(17) Thereupon worshiped in an all-auspicious ceremony went she, radiating a natural beauty, with the lotus garland held in her hand and the bees about it, around, with the decoration of the earrings to her cheeks and a coy smile on her face.
The goddess of fortune, mother Lakṣmījī, accepted the ocean of milk as her father, but she perpetually rests on the bosom of Nārāyaṇa. She offers benedictions even to Lord Brahmā and other living entities in this material world, yet she is transcendental to all material qualities. Although she appeared to have been born of the ocean of milk, she immediately resorted to her eternal place on the bosom of Nārāyaṇa.
8.8.18
nirantaraḿ candana-kuńkumokṣitam
(18) With her two breasts and her thin waist in symmetry and harmony and smeared with sandalwood pulp and kunkuma, appeared she, moving here and there with the sweet tinkling of her anklebells, exactly like a golden creeper.
8.8.19
traipiṣṭapeyādiṣu nānvavindata
(19) In her position looking for the eternal qualities could she among the indwellers of heaven, the perfected, the unenlightened, the keepers of the wealth, the venerable ones and all the rest of the demigods, not find a single one who was faultless:
The goddess of fortune, Lakṣmīdevī, having been generated from the ocean of milk, was the daughter of the ocean. Thus she was allowed to select her own husband in a svayaḿvara ceremony. She examined every one of the candidates, but she could not find anyone suitably qualified to be her shelter. In other words, Nārāyaṇa, the natural husband of Lakṣmī, cannot be superseded by anyone in this material world.
8.8.20
sa īśvaraḥ kiḿ parato vyapāśrayaḥ
(20) 'Of the certain of one's austerity has one not conquered the anger, of spiritual knowledge is the scholar not free of attachments and someone great may not have overcome material desires; how can a person as such under the control of something else be a controller?
Here is an attempt to find the supreme controller, or īśvara. Everyone may be accepted as an īśvara, or controller, but still such controllers are controlled by others. For example, one may have undergone severe austerities but still be under the control of anger. By a scrutinizing analysis, we find that everyone is controlled by something else. No one, therefore, can be the true controller but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. This is supported by the śāstras. Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ: [Bs. 5.1] the supreme controller is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is never controlled by anyone, for He is the controller of everyone (sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam [Bs. 5.1]).
8.8.21
vīryaḿ na puḿso 'sty aja-vega-niṣkṛtaḿ
(21) Proficient in the religion doesn't mean that one found friendship with other living beings, with one's renunciation may the cause of liberation be missed and with whatever power one may have over people, is one still subjected to the power of time; never will one, free from the contamination of the modes of nature, [apart from the Lord] find a second one [see also 1.2: 8].
The statement dharmaḥ kvacit tatra na bhūta-sauhṛdam is very important in this verse. We actually see that there are many Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and religionists of other cults who adhere to their religious principles very nicely but are not equal to all living entities. Indeed, although they profess to be very religious, they kill poor animals. Such religion has no meaning. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.8) says:
dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puḿsāḿ
One may be very expert in following the religious principles of his own sect, but if he has no tendency to love the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his observance of religious principles is simply a waste of time. One must develop a sense of loving Vāsudeva (vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ [Bg. 7.19]). The sign of a devotee is that he is a friend to everyone (suhṛdaḿ sarva-bhūtānām). A devotee will never allow a poor animal to be killed in the name of religion. This is the difference between a superficially religious person and a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
We find that there have been many great heroes in history, but they could not escape from the cruel hands of death. Even the greatest hero cannot escape from the ruling power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead when Kṛṣṇa comes as death. That is described by Kṛṣṇa Himself: mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham. The Lord, appearing as death, takes away a hero's so-called power. Even Hiraṇyakaśipu could not be saved when Nṛsiḿhadeva appeared before him as death. One's material strength is nothing before the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
8.8.22
yatrobhayaḿ kutra ca so 'py amańgalaḥ
(22) Someone may live long but still be unlucky or of misconduct, someone may master the art of living but not know to live long; if one is of both is such a person in some other way unlucky, and of someone best in all fields is not said that he has envisioned me [the devotion]!'
8.8.23
varaḿ nijaikāśrayatayāguṇāśrayam
vavre varaḿ sarva-guṇair apekṣitaḿ
(23) This way of due consideration accepted the Goddess of the Splendor Him Mukunda, the reservoir of the Supreme so desirable and qualified in every way, as her husband even though He never looked for it, for He possessed the extraordinary transcendental qualities that were all good and independent of others.
8.8.24
mādyan-madhuvrata-varūtha-giropaghuṣṭām
(24) After placing on His shoulders a ravishing fresh garland of lotuses vibrating with humming, maddened bumblebees, remained she, with a shy smile to her glittering eyes, by His side with His bosom as her real resort.
8.8.25
śrīḥ svāḥ prajāḥ sakaruṇena nirīkṣaṇena
(25) He, the father of the three worlds, made His bosom the residence of the mother, the goddess, the supreme of the wealth; she installed there increases by her mercifully glancing over the threefold creation the fortune of His servants and leaders.
According to the desire of Lakṣmīdevī, the goddess of fortune, the Supreme Personality of Godhead made His bosom her residence so that by her glance she could favor everyone, including the demigods and ordinary human beings. In other words, since the goddess of fortune stays on the bosom of Nārāyaṇa, she naturally sees any devotee who worships Nārāyaṇa. When the goddess of fortune understands that a devotee is in favor of devotional service to Nārāyaṇa, she is naturally inclined to bless the devotee with all opulences. The karmīs try to receive the favor and mercy of Lakṣmī, but because they are not devotees of Nārāyaṇa, their opulence is flickering. The opulence of devotees who are attached to the service of Nārāyaṇa is not like the opulence of karmīs. The opulence of devotees is as permanent as the opulence of Nārāyaṇa Himself.
8.8.26
devānugānāḿ sastrīṇāḿ
(26) With the sound of conch shells, bugles and all sorts of drums was there the greatest tumult of musical instruments so that all the gods of heaven and their women started to sing and dance.
8.8.27
īḍire 'vitathair mantrais
(27) Brahmâ, S'iva and all the directors of the world headed by Angirâ honored, with all they thus saw, the personality that was really the greatest by chanting and showering flowers.
8.8.28
śriyāvalokitā devāḥ
saprajāpatayaḥ prajāḥ
(28) With the merciful glance of the Goddess upon all the godly, the fathers of mankind and their generations were they all blessed with good behavior and good qualities and achieved they the ultimate satisfaction.
8.8.29
niḥsattvā lolupā rājan
(29) When the Daityas and Dânavas, o King, being neglected by Lakshmî got frustrated, lost they depressed in their aching greed all sense of shame.
8.8.30
(30) Following appeared Vârunî, the goddess of the drunkards, as a young lotus-eyed girl upon which the Asuras accepted her the way the Lord had arranged it for them.8.8.31
athodadher mathyamānāt
kāśyapair amṛtārthibhiḥ
puruṣaḥ paramādbhutaḥ
(31) When thereupon the ocean was churned by the sons of Kas'yapa so eager for the nectar appeared there, o great King, a most wonderful man.
8.8.32
kambu-grīvo 'ruṇekṣaṇaḥ
sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitaḥ
(32) He was long, had stout and strong arms, a neck like a conch, reddish eyes, a blackish complexion, looked very young, had a garland and was decorated all over.
8.8.33
sumṛṣṭa-maṇi-kuṇḍalaḥ
amṛtāpūrṇa-kalasaḿ
bibhrad valaya-bhūṣitaḥ
(33) Clad in yellow, with his broad chest, his earrings with pearls well polished, his gleaming curly hair hanging down in strings, came he, decorated with bangles and moving strong as a lion, forward with a jar that to the rim was filled with nectar.
8.8.34
sa vai bhagavataḥ sākṣād
viṣṇor aḿśāḿśa-sambhavaḥ
(34) He was a plenary part of a plenary portion of the Supreme Lord Vishnu known by the name of Dhanvantari who, representing the full knowledge of medical science, was there to demand his share of the sacrifices.
teṣāḿ satyāc cālanārthaḿ
harir dhanvantarir vibhuḥ
samartho 'py asurāṇāḿ tu
Dhanvantari, who was carrying the jug containing nectar, was a plenary incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but although he was very strong, the asuras were able to take the jug of nectar from his hands.8.8.35
kalasaḿ cāmṛtābhṛtam
kalasaḿ tarasāharan
(35) the Asuras, greedy after all things, who saw him with the container full of nectar, immediately snatched the jug away.
8.8.36
viṣaṇṇa-manaso devā
(36) When that jug containing the nectar by the Asuras was carried away, were all the godly desolate and turned they to the Lord for their protection.
8.8.37
(37) Witnessing their sadness about it did the Supreme Lord who always tries to fulfill the wishes say: 'Do not be aggrieved, by means of a quarrel among them will I personally see to it that the nectar will be there for all of you.'
8.8.38
(38) O master of man, then rose there among them a fugue about the nectar in which they with a thirsting heart said: 'Let me first, I first, not you, you wait!'
This is the symptom of demons. The first concern of a nondevotee is how to enjoy his personal sense gratification at once, whereas the devotee's first concern is to satisfy the Lord. This is the distinction between the nondevotee and the devotee. In this material world, since most people are nondevotees, they regularly compete, fight, disagree and war among themselves, for everyone wants to enjoy and satisfy his own senses. Therefore, unless such demons become Kṛṣṇa conscious and are trained to satisfy the senses of the Lord, there can be no question of peace in human society or any society, even that of the demigods. The demigods and devotees, however, always surrender to the lotus feet of the Lord, and thus the Lord is always anxious to satisfy their ambitions. While the demons fight to satisfy their own senses, devotees engage in devotional service to satisfy the senses of the Lord. The members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement must be alert in regard to this point, and then their preaching of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will be successful.
8.8.39-40
(39-40) When the godly deserve it to take their share, have all who were of an equal effort in the duty of sacrifice an equal right; this is a matter of traditional duties [sanâtana dharma]!' Thus did the Daityas envious and weak, o King, violently, try to appropriate the jug, denying it factually each other constantly.
Desiring to take the nectar, those among the demons who were less strong spoke in favor of the demigods. The weaker Daityas naturally pleaded on behalf of the demigods to stop the stronger Daityas from drinking the nectar without sharing it. In this way, disagreement and trouble arose as they forbade one another to drink the nectar.
8.8.41-46
yoṣid-rūpam anirdeśyaḿ
dadhāra-paramādbhutam
prekṣaṇīyotpala-śyāmaḿ
sarvāvayava-sundaram
samāna-karṇābharaṇaḿ
sukapolonnasānanam
mukhāmodānuraktāli-
jhańkārodvigna-locanam
sugrīva-kaṇṭhābharaṇaḿ
virajāmbara-saḿvīta-
bhrū-vilāsāvalokanaiḥ
(41-46) After this had passed assumed Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Controller who has a solution for each situation, the form of a supremely beautiful, wonderful woman who mystified all of them. Pleasing to behold was she as dark as a newly grown lotus, was she in all her limbs of the greatest beauty and harmony, and had she a straight nose to her ornamented ears and fine cheeks. She had fresh, firm, young but weighty breasts to her thin waist and a blissful expression on her face. From the humming bumblebees arround her she looked a bit anxious. With the mass of her waving hair and her nice neck with a mallikâ flower garland around it, with the beauty of her arms that were ornamented with the finest jewelry and bangles, with the fair sari spread over her breast that was an island of beauty and with the belt that covered her waist, moved she with her anklebells in grace. Coyly casting her glances with her eyebrows moving, gave she in the core of the hearts of the daitya leaders rise to a long-standing lusty desire.
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