Friday, April 27, 2012

Hindu Mythology-Samudra-Manthan.



The Asuras were older than their half-brothers the Gods. They acquired great possessions in the three worlds, but they did not sacrifice to each other, because they did not visit holy places, they did not acquire spiritual powers within themselves.
The Gods who did not have great possessions went on making sacrifices, went on dealing truthfully with each other, went on visiting holy places until they had greater and greater spiritual power within themselves.
The Gods and the Asuras knew that they could gain the Amrit, the nector of Life, if they churned up one of the seven oceans that, ring beyond ring, encircles the worlds. They came down to the Ocean of Milk. They took the Mountain Mandara for a churning-pole and the hundred-headed Vāsuki for a churning-rope. They wound the Vasuki around the mountain, and pulling it this way and that way they splashed and dashed the, Ocean up and down and to and fro. And the Ocean of Milk frothed and bubbled as they churned,it was supported by Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of Kurma.
For a thousand years the Gods and the Asuras churned the Ocean of Milk. All that time Vāsuki, from his hundred heads spat venom. The venom bit into the rocks and broke them up; it flowed down, destroying the worlds of Gods and men. Then all creation would have been destroyed in that flood of venom if it had not been for the act of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva took up the venom in the bowl, stored it in his throat. His throat became blue. But by his act, the Gods achieved more spiritual powers than the Asuras.
Still they churned. Then out of the Ocean of Milk came the wish-bestowing cow, Surabhi. Gods and Asuras rejoiced at the prosperity that came with her. Then appeared the Apsaras and Asuras sported with them. The moon was churned up, and Lord Shiva took it and set it upon his forehead.
The Asuras sported with the Apsaras. The Gods, labored at the churning, and the whole Ocean of Milk foamed and bubbled. Then was churned up the gem of gems, Kaustubha, and then white Uchhaibhsravas, the best of steeds.
Now the Gods grew in strength as they labored, they grew in strength, while the Asuras abandoned themselves more and more to pleasures, and they fought amongst themselves on account of the pleasures that all of them sought. And then, seated on a lotus and holding a lotus in her hand, a lovely Goddess appeared. She went to Lord Vishnu; she cast herself on the God, and, reclining there, she delighted the Gods with the glances she bestowed on them.
Asuras, in despair because Good Fortune had gone to the side of the Gods, stood around, determined to seize by force the next good thing that came out of the churning.
And then, behold! there appeared the sage Dhanvantari, and in his hands was the bowl that held the Amrit, the nector of Life. The Asuras strove to seize it; they would drink it all themselves, or else they would fling the Amrit where Vasuki’s venom was dripping on the rocks. Almost they overpowered the Gods in their efforts to seize the Amrit. Then Lord Vishnu changed himself into a ravishing form, he switched to be Mohini. The Asuras went towards where Mohini postured for them. Even then they fought amongst each other. And the Gods took the bowl, and, sharing it, they drank from the bowl of the Amrit.
And now they were filled with such vigor that the Asuras could not overpower them.  They drove them down into hell where they became the Daityas
The Gods were triumphant and the three worlds became filled with radiance and spiritual power.       Indra, seated upon his throne, made a hymn in praise of Devi Laxmi. She granted him his wish, which was that she should never abandon the Gods.
The fourteen Jewels were taken among them as under.
Kamdhenu.                                         The Rishis.
Uchhaishravan Ashva.                        King Bali.
Airavata Elephant.                              Indra.
Jewel Kaustubhmani.                          Lord Vishnu.
Goddess Laxmi.                                  Lord Vishnu.
Divine Nector.                                               The Devatas.
Divine Apsaras.                                   The Devtas./Asuras
Sura the Wine.                                                The Asuras.
Holy Tree Parijat.                                The Yachakas.
Dhanvantary.                                      Lord Vishnu.
Poison.                                                            Lord NeelKanth. (Shiva)
Moon.                                                  Lord Shiva’s Forehead.
The Sacred Conch.                              Lord Vishnu.              
Mohini.                                                Avatar.            

1 comment:

Chandragupt Morya said...

I admire the valuable information in this page. I will bookmark this page and have my friends check up here often. I am quite sure they will learn lots of new stuff here than anybody else!