.: Churning of the Ocean of Milk

This is an interesteting read about an Indian Mythology. Those of you who had a opportunity to chance upon Thailand's new airport should take a look at this sculpture near the duty free shops just right after the departure hall.

In Hinduism, Samudra manthan (Devanagari: समुद्र मंथन) or The churning of the ocean of milk is one of the most famous episodes in the Puranas and is celebrated in a major way every twelve years in the festival known as Kumbha Mela. The story is related in the Srimad Bhagavatam, a major work that describes the avataras in great detail.

The episode relating to the curse of sage Durvasa is, however, a more widely acknowledged cause leading to 'Samudra-manthana'. It is said sage Durvasa once visited Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu. In reverence to the great sage, when seeing him off, Vishnu garlanded him with the celestial flowers of Parijata, pregnant with inexhaustible sweet honey and never fading. On way back Durvasa met Indra riding his Airavata. Durvasa thought that to a recluse the garland of Parijata was hardly of any use and that Indra better deserved for it. He hence placed the garland on Indra's neck, but the conceited Indra neglectfully hurled the garland on his elephant's head. The sweet fragrance of 'parijata' flowers invited bees, which irritated Airavata and the elephant tore the garland, threw it down and crushed under his feet. (Indra's expression must be real funny when this happen)

Durvasa felt insulted and cursed Indra to become devoid of all splendour and riches. Instantly 'Shri', the presiding deity of riches, splendour and fertility, deserted Indra and all three worlds that he ruled. She disappeared into Khsirasagar, the ocean of milk. Bereft of all grandeur and prowess Indra and other gods approached Brahma who after hearing their plight invoked Vishnu. Vishnu appeared and said that churning of Kshirasagar was the only way for recovering 'Shri' from it. This they could not do alone, hence they should conciliate with 'asuras' and persuade them to participate in the act of ocean churning. Vishnu said that Mount Mandara could be used as the churning rod and the Great Serpent Vasuki as the rope.

As ordained by Lord Vishnu gods approached 'asuras' and reconciled with them. After they agreed, Mount Mandara was uprooted and laid into the ocean and Vasuki coiled around it. Vishnu himself appeared on the scene and asked the 'asuras' to hold the serpent by its tail. Vishnu knew that 'asuras' would ask for contrary to what gods proposed to them. As expected, the 'asuras' considered it derogatory for them, the superiors as they thought they were, to hold the tail instead the head of the animal. It was what the gods wanted and willingly gave them Vasuki's head portion and they held serpent's tail and began churning Kshirasagara.

The churning was begun. But when the Kshirasagara began yielding jewels, one after the other - Surabhi (goddess and creator of wine), the celestial cow (Kamadhenu, also known as the mother of all cows), the divine horse Uchchishrava, elephant Airavata (Indra's elephant that stomp on the garland and causes this incident to happen), Kaustubha-mani (the most valuable jewel in the world), Parijat etc., they realised that Mount Mandara was sinking into the earth and neither the gods or demons nor the Great Serpent Vasuki were able to hold it. Amrit, the nectar, 'Shri' and many other precious jewels had not been discovered yet. It disappointed gods and demons alike. When yet in the gust of disappointment they felt that the fast sinking mountain was suddenly contained. Churning was re-commenced. Vishnu incarnated as tortoise (Kurma, world strongest tortoise with divine shell) had stretched himself endlessly, slipped under the churning mountain and contained it on his back. The ocean was then further churned and were discovered from it pots of wine, arson (also known as halahala, poisonous gas, like my fart) and nectar (also known as Amrita, which is now sold at the airport), Vaidya Dhanwantari, Shri or Lakshmi (Same ranking as our Mr. Chai or wealth Goddess Indian style), the divine conch etc.

On the right side of the mountain are seen blue hued demons and on its left the white skinned gods. The last in the line of gods is Lord Shiva turned blue by consuming arson emerged from the ocean churning. When this arson emerged, all, gods and demons, began fainting in its vapours. With no way-out left Lord Shiva consumed it and stored it in his throat which turned blue and gave him the 'Neelakantha' name(it is said that his wife, Parvati helps to stop the halahala at his throat).

Finally, Dhanvantari, the Heavenly Physician, emerged with a pot containing amrita. As the Asuras rushed to take the nectar, the frightened Adityas appealed to Vishnu, who then took the form of Mohini. As a beautiful and enchanting damsel, Mohini distracted the Asuras, took the amrita and distributed it amongst the Adityas who drank it. One Asura, Rahu, disguised himself as an Aditya, and drank some Nectar. But before the Nectar could pass his throat, Mohini cut off his head with Her Sudarshana Chakra (Must be hell of a potong steam event for Rahu). The head, due to its contact with the amrita, remained immortal(Super potong steam). It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.