Samudra manthan is one of the most important events in Hindu mythology. This event led to the birth of divine godesses and generation of many valuables. Samudra manthan literally means ‘The churning of the ocean’. Samudra manthan did not happen by accident. Specific events transpired prior to ‘Samudra manthan’ which made ‘the churning of the ocean’ inevitable. Let’s look at all the events before and after the landmark event of Samudra manthan.
Rishi Durvasa curses Devraj Indra
Once Devraj Indra (King of Gods) was riding on his elephant Airavat. He came across Rishi Durvasa. who offered the king an auspicious garland. The garland was given to the Rishi by a nymph. Indra accepted the garland and placed it on the trunk of his elephant Airavat. The elephant threw the garland on the ground. On witnessing this, Rishi Durvasa was angered. The garland was not an ordinary garland but it was the abode of Sri (fortune and riches). Furious with Devraj Indra’s act, Rishi Durvasa cursed Indra and all the other Gods that they would lose all their powers and would be bereft of all their energies, fortunes and strength.
Asuras defeat the Devas
Soon the Devas (Gods) lost all their powers and started losing all the battles to the Asuras (Demons). The Asuras soon gained control over the entire universe. The Devas were tensed and they all went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu told the Devas that only the elixir that resided at the bottom of the Ksheer Sagar (also known as the milky ocean) could restore back their lost strength and power. It was impossible for the Devas to churn such a vast ocean alone. So the Devas formed an alliance of sharing the nectar of immorality (Amrit) with the Asuras in order to convince them to jointly churn the Milky Ocean.
Participants of Samudra manthan
Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod and Vasuki – the king of the Nagas was used as the churning rope. The Asuras (demons) held the head of the snake, while the Devas, held the tail of the snake. Mount Mandara began to sink when it was placed in the ocean. Seeing this, Vishnu took the form of Kurma (Turtle) and took Mount Mandara on his back. Vishnu offered support to the mountain and also eased the churning process. The Asuras and Devas pulled Vasuki back and forth causing the mountain to rotate. This in turn churned the ocean.
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Outcome of Samudra manthan
- Dhanvantari, the God of medicine emerged holding a pot of nectar.
- Fourteen ratnas (gems) came from the ocean which were distributed equally between the Devas and Asuras.
- Kamdhenu – the wish granting cow emerged.
- A 7-headed horse named Uchhaishravas also emerged from the ocean which was taken by the Asuras.
- Parijat – the ever blossoming tree was taken by the Devas.
- Varuni – the tree which produces wine and alcohol was taken by the Asuras.
- Then emerged Goddess of wealth – Lakshmi. She chose Vishnu as her consort.
- Divine nymphs Rambha, Menaka etc. emerged and chose the Gandharvas as their consorts.
- Jyestha – the goddess of misfortune also emerged.
- The moon God also took divine birth
- Vishnu’s conch – Panchajanya, His mace – Kaumudini and His bow – Sharanga emerged
- Amrit
Shiva drinks poison called Halahal
One of the things which emerged from the Samudra mathan was the deadly poison called Halahal. This poison could destroy the entire Creation. The Devas prayed to Shiva for help. Shiva decided to drink the poison. As soon as Shiva drank the poison – Halahal, Goddess Parvati placed her hand on Shiva’s throat to prevent the poison from spreading in his body. Shiva’s throat turned blue. From then on Shiva was also called Neelkanth.
