S for Samudra Manthan: The Churning of the Ocean - Mahabharata Mashup
Namaskar,
This is my second most favorite topic of thechallenge. Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the celestial milky ocean, is awonderful episode from Srimad Bhagavatam. It gets a brief mention in the AdiParva before the actual story begins.
So, one day, the gods held a meeting on Mount Meruand discussed how too many of them were getting killed or injured due to theconstant attacks of the daityas (anti-gods). They asked Brahma for help, whotook them to Maha Vishnu. He advised them to churn the Kshera Saagaram (Oceanof Milk) to obtain the nectar of life, amrita (an elixir that would make themimmortal). He also told them to strike a deal with the anti-gods since the churning wasn’t an easy task.
Once the whole thing was settled, Mount Mandara waschosen as the churning rod. However, it sank into the water. That’s when KurmaRaja (the king of Tortoise) agreed to hold the mount on his back. The oceanagreed to allow them to churn her if they shared the gifts with her.
Acting on Maha Vishnu’s advice, the gods requestedAnanta (Sesha Naga), a majestic snake, to carry Mount Mandara to the ocean andact as the rope. The anti-gods held Ananta’s face while the gods held his tailand began to churn.
It was a back-breaking job, but both sides refusedto give up. Maha Vishnu gifted them the necessary strength to keep going. Theorder and list of items that appeared from the ocean vary in differentversions.
As they churned, the moon rose from the water andwent into the sky. Then came out goddess Lakshmi, sitting on a lotus flower.She married Maha Vishnu.
Suradevi (the goddess of wine) came out of thewaves. The anti-gods thought it was nectar, but realized the truth later. The gods invited Suradevi(also called Varuni) to live in heaven. She acceptedthe invitation.
Note: There’sa SuraDevi Temple in Dehradun.
The Kaustuba jewel came out dazzling and adornedMaha Vishnu’s chest. It is a large and radiant ruby.
The apsaras came out dancing and chose to stay inthe heaven.
Next, the Kalpavriksham (the wish-fulfillingparijata tree) appeared from the ocean. Indra’s wife, Sachi Devi, requested toplace it in her celestial garden.
Three animals – Surabhi (Kamadhenu)- thewish-fulfilling cow, Airavata- the four-tusked elephant, and Ucchaihsravas- awinged white horse, also appeared as a result of the churning. Surabhi wasgifted to the rishis by Brahma. Indra took Airavata, and King Bali asked to keepUcchaihsravas.
Halaahala or Kalakuta, the most deadly poison, cameout fuming, choking everyone. They were terrified and asked Shiva to handle thepoison as it could destroy the world (in many versions, the poison comes outfirst and is followed by other items). Shiva agreed and held the Kalakuta inhis throat. This turned his throat blue, and he got the name Neelakanta.
I recently read a book, FloralFolklore, which had a mini addition to this story. According to the storyin the book, a few drops of the Kalakuta still dripped onto the earth. Aconiteplants grew from this poison and contain the same properties.
At last, Dhanvantri, the physician of the gods,arrived through the waves, carrying a pot of amrita in his hands. The devas anddaityas were excited. The daityas stole the pot from him and ran away into the caves.
Maha Vishnu transformed into a beautiful young womancalled Mohini and went to retrieve the pot of amrita. He then distributed theamrita among the gods. A daitya sneaked past and consumed a drop of the amrita. Though he was captured and killed, the amrita made him immortal. He became Rahu and Ketu (Rahu is the head and Ketu is the body), the two shadowy planets added to the rest in Vedic astrology.
The remaining amrita was safeguarded in the secret chambers ofheaven with guards and magic protecting the place.
I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.
The AI images are made on Bing.
