TREASURES FROM THE SAMUDRA MANTHAN

 This story comes to us from our ancient mythology. It is a story of planets and eclipses. 

A very long time ago, the devas and the asuras were fighting and it was a long fight with no ending in sight. The devas were exhausted. They went to the three primal gods- the Tridevs, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadeva. “Lords, we are tired. The asuras just don’t let up and the worst thing is that Shukracharya uses the Sanjeevani Mantra to revive the dead asuras. In the morning, we are faced with the same asuras that we killed the day before. It is physically draining. You have to do something. We can’t continue fighting and leave all our jobs. How will the universe work if all that we keep doing is fight the same asuras over and over again.”

The Tridevs looked at each other. Mahadeva said, “They do have a point.” Brahma said, “Yes. It must be boring doing the same work again and again.” Vishnu said, “Hmmm. I think we need a solution and I know the perfect plan. We need amrit.”

Mahadeva said, “Oh yes! That will do the work but isn’t amrit inside the ksheer sagar. How will we get it out?” 

Vishnu said, “Oh Mahadeva, you have hit the nail on the head. Hmmm. If Indra and all the devas agree, I have a plan but it will require the help of our enemies too. Are you ok with it?”

Indra and the devas looked at each other in complete and utter confusion. “Are you sure, Lord that we need help from the Asuras. You know how cunning they are.”

Vishnu nodded, “I know they are cunning but do you have faith in me? That is the question.”

Indra and the other devas said in unison, “Ah Lord. We do have faith in you. Do whatever you think right. We will ask the asuras for help.”

Vishnu smiled and said, “Tell them the truth. Tell them that we will churn the ocean to get amrit and that amrit will be divided equally.”

Indra was gobsmacked, “Seriously. We need to divide the amrit with them. What are you thinking? They already have Sanjeevani and now you want them to get amrit. I am confused but Ok, whatever you think is right.”

Vishnu then said, “I want you to promise me another thing. You will not act in haste, not even when the asuras snatch something. You will maintain divine decorum at all times. Do you agree?”

The devas agreed though they looked uncomfortable.Then Vishnu said, “Ok. Issue the invitation to the asuras. Call Mount Mahendra to act as the whisk and call for the serpent king Vasuki. He will act as the rope. Go on. Let the churning begin.”

The devas hurried off to do their tasks. The asuras were invited. Shukracharya was sceptical, “The devas want our help. Strange. There must be a hidden motive behind this. I don’t think we should accept.” but the asura king was confident, “Arrey Guruji. What can these weak devas do? They are losing the battle so badly and it will be a chance to get the treasures of the ocean. We should accept.” “Do what you think is right.” said Shukracharya.

The Mahendra mountain was happy to help as was Vasuki. The stage was set. Vasuki wrapped himself around the mountain. The devas picked up the tail and the asuras held the head of Vasuki. Now the churning began but arrey arrey… the mountain sank beneath the ocean. “Now what!!! Lord help us.” the Gods cried out. 

Vishnu smiled and said, “Do not worry so much. I will act as the stand for the churner”. Saying this Vishnu took the form of a giant turtle, the kacchapa avatar. He plunged into the frothy waters and bore Mount Mahendra on his back. All cheered and the churning started with great gusto.

Vasuki was tired of the chuffing and the not so gentle handling. He spewed out a vast amount of the deadly poison, halahal. The skies darkened, the waters seethed and the air sizzled. The poison was terrible. “Oh Lord, now what do we do?”

The only one who could contain the poison was none other than Mahadeva. He rose from his seat, waded into the seething waters, cupped his palms and drank the halahal in one swift movement. Parvati rushed forward and laid her cool fingers on Mahadeva’s throat. The poison stopped there and the throat turned blue. “ Mahadeva, you have saved us. We will call you Neelkanth from now on”.

Soon treasures started revealing themselves from the ksheer sagar. Kaustubha, the gem which is worn by Vishnu. Kamadhenu, the wish giving cow, Parijat, the divine flowering tree found in the garden of heaven, the divine dancing apsaras like Rambha and Menaka. Various other herbs. Goddess Lakshmi, the eternal consort of Vishnu and finally Dhanvantri, the god of medicine with a brimming pot of amrita in his hands.

And that’s when things went down. The asuras dropped vasuki’s head and snatched the pot of amrita from dhanvantari. The devas looked unsure but they had promised Vishnu that they wouldn't fight. 

Just then a golden light sparkled and from that light emerged a gorgeous woman. She was a beauty incarnate. Her long lustrous hair, her doe eyes, her smiling lips. Everything captivated the asuras and devas alike. The asuras begged her to divide the amrit between them. Mohini, the enchantress smiled and said, “Dear Asuras, are you really sure you want me to give you the amrita?” “Yes, Yes “, screamed the asuras. Mohini smiled and said, “As you wish but you will not question me at all. Is that ok with you?”

The asuras agreed. Mohini said, “Go and take a bath , all of you and sit in two rows. Devas to my right and asuras to my left. I will walk down the row and give the amrita”. All the devas and asuras agreed with the beautiful Mohini. Soon they sat down in two rows facing each other and Mohini stepped daintily forward. She poured a bit of the amrit into the cups held by Indra, then Varuna, Agni, Chandra, Surya and the countless devatas. The asuras squirmed in their seats but they had given their word to Mohini so how could they go back on it now.

Then at the far end of the line Svarbahnu, that wily asura disguised himself as a deva. He crept into the line but the sharp eyed Chandra and the ever vigilant Surya called him out. Mohini had already given him two sips of the nectar by then. Vishnu called the Sudarshan Chakra and cut off his neck. Svarbhanu had already had the two sips so he couldn’t die though his body was cut in half. Svarbhanu screamed at Surya and Chandra, “You have made me your eternal enemy. I will gobble you both for sure.” saying this , the demon started to stalk Chandra and Surya. This is how eclipses happen and svarbhanu became known as Rahu and Ketu. 

After the confrontation with Svarbhanu, Mohini disappeared in a flash of lightning leaving the Asuras angry. They rushed at the devas to avenge the insult and a full on war started. The devas, fortified by the amrit, fought back and soon the asura army was defeated and pushed back to the patal lok. The devas reclaimed their rightful place in svarga and order was established.

Mahadeva looked at Vishnu and smirked, “That was a neat trick and I think Mohini was one of your most clever avatar. She asked for nothing, challenged nothing, had no weapons but still changed the course of the events. Marvelous.”

Brahma too leaned down from his lotus throne and said, “The asuras did not know what just hit them. It was quite devious, my lord.”

Vishnu smiled as he lay back on Sesh Nag, “Well, the end justifies the means. I did whatever I did to restore balance. You know I hate chaos and the asuras were just making too much noise. Now I can sleep. Well, see you both next time the world goes crazy.”