Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) was a collaborative act by gods and demons that resulted in the discovery of Amrita (the nectar of immortality) and the other 14 ratnas (jewels). The story of Samudra Manthan is mentioned in the Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Padma Purana, and the Mahabharata. It was one of the turning points in the history of gods and demons and changed their relationship permanently.
The Story of Samudra Manthan (Bhagavata Purana Canto 8, Chapter 8):
The Curse of Sage Durvasa:
The churning of the ocean had to be performed because of a mistake by the king of gods, Indra. Once Indra was roaming on his elephant Airavata when he encountered Sage Durvasa. Sage Durvasa was notorious for his quick-temperedness. He had received a divine garland from a celestial nymph that was of no use to him. So, he decided to gift it to Indra. Indra placed it on the trunk of Airavata. The flowers in the garland had a strong smell and hence attracted some bees. Annoyed by the bees, Airavata threw the garland on the ground. The garland was a dwelling of Sri and was to be treated as a sacred object. Sage Durvasa felt insulted and thought that Indra had become arrogant about his powers and wealth. Therefore, he cursed Indra and all the gods that they would be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.
Gods Lost Their Powers:
Soon after the curse of the sage, Goddess Lakshmi left heaven and started living in the ocean of milk. The gods were defeated by Asuras led by Mahabali. Asuras killed many gods with their serpent-like weapons. Gods were forced to leave heaven and wander in the universe.
They approached Lord Vishnu for the solution. Lord Vishnu advised them to strike a truce with Asuras and perform Samudra Manthan to obtain the nectar of immortality. He also assured them that he would make sure that only gods would get the nectar because if Asuras would get the nectar, it would be disastrous for the world.
The Plan of Samudra Manthan:
Per the advice of Lord Vishnu, the gods made a deal with Asura king Mahabali, and they agreed to perform Samudra Manthan. But the Ocean of Milk was vast, and they had no clue about how to do it. They needed a huge churn for it. To make the churn, they needed a large mountain-like object and a strong and long rope to churn the sea. They decided to use the Vasuki snake as a rope and Mandara mountain as the rod for it. They needed to put this churn in the center of the ocean of milk.
Samudra Manthan Preparation:
Per the advice of Lord Vishnu, gods and demons cast into the Ocean of Milk all kinds of vegetables, grass, creepers, and drugs. It required great strength and effort to move Mandara Mountain toward the ocean. Even though both the gods and the Asuras were powerful, they soon become fatigued and left it on their way. During the process, many gods and Asuras died.
Seeing their helplessness, Lord Vishnu lifted the mountain with one hand and put it on the back of Garuda. Then Lord Vishnu sat on the back of Garuda along with gods and demons. Garuda then put Mandara Mountain at the center of the ocean and left the place because Vasuki being a snake would not come near it in his presence. Lord Vishnu also resurrected the dead Asuras and gods.
Gods and demons summoned Vasuki and requested him to coil the mountain promising him a share of the nectar. Gods held Vasuki from the front side, and Asuras held it from the tail side. But Asuras thought that it was inauspicious to hold the snake from its tail side. Therefore, they exchanged the sides with gods and held the front of the snake.
Kurmavatara:
When they started the churning motion, they found it very difficult because Mandara was a huge mountain, and it had no support at the bottom.
Therefore, Lord Vishnu took the form of a humongous tortoise, which extended for 800,000 miles and carried the Mandara Mountain on his back. This incarnation of Lord Vishnu is known as Kurmavatara and is the second of his 10 incarnations.
Samudra Manthan Began:
As most of the problems were resolved, the churning of the ocean began in full force. Soon demons had to repent their decision of holding the mouth side of Vasuki because he started breathing fire. Gods were also affected by it, but by the grace of Lord Vishnu, clouds appeared on the sea and poured torrential rain, which eased the situation.
14 Ratnas Produced in Samudra Manthan:
1. Halahala. After some time, first came out Halahala, the poison. It started spreading in all directions, and all the demons and gods were scared to death because Halahala was capable of causing annihilation. Therefore, they approached Lord Shiva and praised him. They requested him to protect the world from this peril.
Therefore, Lord Shiva took all the poison in his palms and drank it, but Goddess Parvati put her hands around his throat and prevented it from entering his body. It caused Lord Shiva’s throat to turn blue. Hence, he is known as Nilakantha.
Snakes and other poisonous animals took the opportunity to drink whatever little poison had fallen and scattered from Lord Shiva’s hand while he was drinking it. After that, the gods and demons resumed their activity of churning the ocean. They became happy as many precious things started coming out.
2. Kamadhenu. Great saintly persons accepted it to derive clarified butter and offer it in oblations for sacrifices.
3. A flying horse named Uchchaihshravas, which had seven heads. King Bali took the horse.
4. Airavata, the four-tusked elephant. Indra took it.
5. Kaustubha gem. Lord Vishnu took it and placed it on his chest.
6. Kalpravriksha – a wish-fulfilling tree. Gods took it.
7. Parijata – the divine flowering tree with blossoms that never fade or wilt. It was carried to Indra Loka by gods.
8. Rambha and other Apsaras were kept by gods.
9. Goddess Lakshmi. She chose Lord Vishnu as her husband.
10. Varuni or Sura, the goddess of wine. The demons accepted her.
11. Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine.
12. Amrita – the elixir of life.
13. Chandra or moon.
14. Conch – Lord Vishnu kept it.
Different items are listed in the different Puranas. Other than the above-mentioned things, the following things came out of Samudra Manthana:
A. Alakshmi – the goddess of misfortune.
B. Earrings. Indra gave them to his mother, Aditi.
C. Sharanga – the divine bow of Lord Vishnu.
D. Mace of Lord Vishnu.
E. Chintamani – the jewel that removes all worries.
F. A divine umbrella – taken by Varuna.
How Long did Samudra Manthan Last?
The churning of the ocean lasted for 1000 years.
Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini:
When Lord Dhanvantari came out of the ocean with a pot of nectar in his hands, the demons immediately snatched it and ran away and started fighting among themselves over who would drink it first.
Lord Vishnu solaced worried gods and appeared in the form of a miraculously beautiful woman named Mohini. When demons saw her, they were mesmerized and forgot about the nectar. Their hearts were filled with lust, and everybody desired to possess her. Mohini smiled at them and took the nectar pot from them. She told them that she would distribute it equally among them. They all agreed with this plan. She arranged separate lines of sitting places and seated gods and demons according to their positions.
She started serving the nectar to gods first. Asuras were not happy with that, but as they had accepted that her decision would be final and feared spoiling their relationship with her, they remained silent.
Rahu and Ketu:
One of the Asuras named Rahu assumed the form of a god and drank the nectar. Even Lord Vishnu could not recognize him. The moon and the sun, however, because of permanent animosity toward him, understood the situation. Thus, Rahu was detected.
Before the nectar ran down his throat, Lord Vishnu severed his head with the Sudarshana Chakra. From that day, his head is called Rahu and the body Ketu.
After feeding the nectar to gods, Lord Vishnu assumed his original form and flew away on Garuda. Demons understood that they had been tricked and would not get the nectar. Therefore, they attacked the gods, and a fierce battle began. But because gods were stronger after drinking the nectar, they defeated demons.
Why did Lord Vishnu not Drink Halahala?
During the Samudra Manthan, when Halahala came out, all the gods and demons requested Lord Shiva to help them and Lord Shiva drank the poison, but the question arises, why could not Lord Vishnu drink it? Following are the possible answers to this question.
1. Some Shaivites claim that Lord Vishnu was incapable of drinking Halahala. Therefore, Lord Shiva had to drink it. While some Vaishnavites say that Lord Shiva could drink it by the grace of Lord Vishnu.
2. It was predestined that Lord Shiva would consume the poison and would be known as Nialakantha. In the Vedas, Rudra is addressed as Nilagriva (the one with a blue neck). Therefore, it had to be Lord Shiva who needed to consume it.
The second point seems appropriate and maintains the dignity of both sides.
Did Gods do Injustice by not giving the Nectar to Demons?
Although gods and demons had agreed to share the nectar among them, they knew that it was not going to be that way. Because the enmity between them was so severe, no side could see the other side winning at any cost. Therefore, both sides had planned to deprive another side of getting the nectar.
Therefore, as soon as the nectar came out of the ocean of milk, demons snatched it, but instead of drinking it they indulged in fighting among themselves and lost valuable time. Taking the opportunity, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini and made sure that demons did not get any nectar.
Also, if the demons had gotten the nectar, it would have been very difficult to control them given their nature. Therefore, gods did whatever was in the best interest of the world.
How could Airavata have emerged from the churning of the ocean if Indra was riding it before when Sage Durvasa cursed him?
Although it seems to be a contradiction in the story of Samudra Manthan, there could be two possible answers to this question.
1. Airavata is not the name of a specific elephant, but it is an epithet of the carrier elephant of Indra. Therefore, the elephant that Indra was riding before was different than the one that came out of the ocean.
2. Another explanation could be that as Goddess Lakshmi started living in the ocean after she left the side of the gods; similarly, Airavata also might have taken shelter in the ocean and came out during the Samudra Manthan.
The Symbolism of the Samudra Manthan:
The story of Samudra Manthan could be a symbolic representation of the Kundalini Awakening.
1. Ocean of Milk – mind.
2. Gods and Demons – positive and negative thoughts.
3. Vasuki – desires.
4. Mandara – concentration or firmness.
5. Kurma – withdrawal of senses.
6. Halahala – suffering and pain.
7. Nectar – Self-realization.