sri-raja uvaca—King Pariksit inquired; yatha—as; bhagavata—by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; brahman—O learned brahmana; mathitah—churned; ksira-sagarah—the ocean of milk; yat-artham—what was the purpose; va—either; yatah—wherefrom, for what reason; ca—and; adrim—the mountain (Mandara); dadhara—was staying; ambucara-atmana—in the form of a tortoise; yatha—as; amrtam—nectar; suraih—by the demigods; praptam—was achieved; kim—what; ca—and; anyat—other; abhavat—became; tatah—thereafter; etat—all these; bhagavatah—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; karma—pastimes, activities; vadasva—kindly describe; parama-adbhutam—because they are so wonderful.