Samudhra Manthan
(Churning of Oceans)
Rama and Lakshmana after hearing this Holy History “ Hey great sage ! The historic narration you told is awesome;like the Sons of Sagar who dug up the Earth and Bhageertha brining Ganga to Earth.These are awesome Tasks and celebrated that night thinking of their fore fathers.Got up early morning and after completing their morning duties including bath,Prayers and came to Sage Kaushika and said “Thinking of the Ganga’s origin, our night got over like few seconds. Let us cross this Holy River and go to other banks(side). Your coming here has become known and hence a Boat has been made ready for you and the Sages”. There after the 2 Princes, Sage Kaushika and his disciples crossed Ganga after taking leave of those Rishis who had come to see them off. They sat down on the banks of Ganga for sometime. From there they could see a Vishalaa Town and they started walking towards it.Though Rama knew everything he humbly submitted to Sage Vishwamithra“ What is the greatness of this Vishalaa Town? Which kingdom does this belong to? i would like to be educated on this”.
Then Sage Kaushika started to narrate the history of Vishaala Town “ Let me tell you the episode in detail. Indra who was a part of this let me brief you on this..In the Last Krutha Yuga the sons of Dhruthi were Daityas (Great Strongmen) .Athithis children were Celestails and Virle and Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble, Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). Once they started to find ways to be without Birth, Death , Without Ailements , or worry and Live on Strength, Intellect & Comfort so they decided to Churn the Ocean and take the Amruth(Elixir which offers immortality). For that they choseManthara Mountain as the Stirrer (Centrifuge with shaft) and Vasuki serpent as the belt. The Asuras caught hold of it’s head side and the Devas caught hold of it’s Tail sideand started churning the Ocean and continued the Churning for 1000 years. Vasuki unable to bear the strain spilled a Cruel Poison and bit the stones in the Manthara Mountain. Then Poison called AalahalaVisham(Poison) came out of the Ocean Dazlling like Fire Ball and started tormenting the Devas, Humans and started to burn everyone in the world. Then Devas surrendered to God Siva and prayed “Please Give us Protection from this Poison”. Also God Maha Vishnu came there with his Conch and Wheel smilingly addressed Rudra (God Siva) “ The 1st item that comes out of this Churning belongs to you as you are 1st amongst the Devas. Please consider this as an offering by others in their Puja and accept the same.” And Vanished.Seeing the Devas trembling and accepting Maha Vishnu’s words ; God Paramsiva swallowed the Haala Haala Poison. Goddess Parvathi put her hand on his Kanta(Throat) so the Poison does not go to his stomach as the entire Universe is there. The Poison stayed put on his Kanta(Throat) and his Throat became Blue(Neela) in Colour and hence God Siva is known as NeelaKanta. Then the Manataragiri Mountain went down deep in the Ocean bed.. The Devas went to God Maha Vishnu surrendered to him “ You are the refuge for all the Living beings and you do have special affection for Devas.Please do resurrect his mountain and please protect us in our task to get the Elixir from the Ocean.” Devas Prayed to him.hearing that Kesava (God Vishnu )took the Tortoise form and went beneath the Manathara Mountain and Lifted it on his back and gave Support and caught hold of Mountain’s edge so they it can stay afloat and they Churned the Ocean for another 1000 years.and then God Dhanvanthari came with Dhanda(Stick) and Kahmandhala(Kettle Like Pot) and the Beautiful Ladies who are wealth in 9 Forms (Apsu) the essence of churned water and Sthree(Ladies) so they were knowna s Apsaras(Angels).They were 6oo Million with servants. Devas and Dhanvas did not marry them.They also did not search for husbands.They became common for all. Then Varuna’s daughter Varuni was born.She searched for a husband.Dhaithya’s did not accept her. Athithi’s children Devas readily accepted her so they were called Suras and Dhaithya’s who did not accept her were hitherto known as Asuras. Devas were happy in her accepting them. Then the White Horse Uchhaisravas ,and precious Gem Kausthubha, and the Elixir (Amruth) were Born. For getting the Elixir which when drunk Confers Immortality, there was War between Devas and Asuras hither to unheard of or seen. All the 3 Worlds were mentally lost totally occupied with fear by this Fiercest of Battles. Countless died on both sides. Dhaithays and Rakshasaas were becoming stronger and started killing Devas in bunches.Then Maha Vishnuwith his Prowess took the disguise of a Dazzling Damsel and mesmerized one and all and took away the Elixir Pot. Those Daithyas who tried to oppose him were made into dust by Divine Weapons.The Devas who surrendered to him with His Grace got the Elixir which conferred on them immense Strength and got boosted in Morale and started killing the Dahithyas in hordes. The Devas reached their Kingdom and Lived Happily. (Slokas 32)
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