Reading Notes: The Churning of the Ocean

-Long ago so let's assume before man
-Rishi Druvasas cursed Indra, the king of gods
-Due to this curse all of the worlds (3 at the time) lost energy and fell apart
-Daityas or asuras helped the gods flee to Brahma (also known as Vishnu) for protection
-They sought refuge in Vishnu
-Vishnu was the tamer of demons, undying god, creator, preserver, and destroyer
-They approached Vishnu who was extravagantly dressed
-Hari (also Brahma) told them to throw potent herbs into the Milky Sea, to use Mount Mandara as a stick to turn, use serpent Vasuki a rope, and to churn the ocean
-In order to do this they must have the daityas as an ally
-Hari also told them to have daityas drink ambrosia to become immortal but that they will not become immortal
-They did as Hari told them to and became allies with the demons all while following Hari's instructions
-As the gods and demons were carrying out their tasks Hari was present but hidden on the mountain top
-Vasuki spit out fire and set the demons and gods on fire but Hari instilled strength in the gods and cast clouds full of rain over them to cool them
-Up from the sea arose, Surabhi, Varuni, Parijata, the troops of apsaras, the moon that Mahadeva (Shiva) took ahold of, a deadly poison that Mahadeva drank
-The poison turned his throat blue and he was called Nilakantha from then on.
-Dhanvantari with dew of life arose from the sea
-Sri (also Lakshmi) came from the sea and the sky elephants anointed her with water from the river Ganga, she was given flowers by the Milky Sea, and celestial jewelry from Vishvakarma
-Shri then married Vishnu which enraged the demons who took the dew from Dhanvantari
-Vishnu followed the demons and shape shifted to become a woman who snatched the dew from the demons and returned it to the gods
-The gods drank the dew that was returned and were able to send the demons to Hell
-The land and three worlds were once gain in harmony and happy
-Indra created a hymn about Lakshmi and as long as it was sung she should never abandon the three worlds

                         Elephants decorating Lakshmi with floral wreaths from wikimedia        


Notes taken from: Myths of Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita (1907, 1914)