Stories From The Bhagawatham - Kurma Avatar (Part 2)

 


The Asuras plucked the Mandara mountain out of the earth with their powerful arms and both the Devas and Asuras carried the mountain to the ocean. However, the mountain was so heavy that they dropped it, unable to bear its weight. Lord Narayana came to the rescue and lifting the mountain, He took it to the ocean. The serpent Vasuki agreed to be the churning rope when he was promised a part of the Amritha.

The churning began. Lord Narayana went towards the head of Vasuki and the Devas followed Him. This enraged the Asuras who felt that it was beneath their dignity to hold the tail of the serpent. To pacify them. Lord Narayana relinquished the head and along with the Devas, grabbed the tail of Vasuki to churn.

Alas, Mandara was so heavy that it began to sink in the ocean!

Maha Vishnu went under the ocean and took the form of a giant tortoise – Kurma. He lifted the mountain on his back. Mandara rose out of the water amidst great cheering from both the parties.

Here, the Bhagavatham beautifully describes the leela of Maha Vishnu. He entered the hearts of the Devas and the Asuras. The joy and excitement in the hearts of the parties involved in the churning was all because of Maha Vishnu. The ignorance in the minds of those assembled there was also the power of the Lord. It is said that Maha Vishnu, with His thousand arms, held the mountain to steady it. He became the arms that held the mountain as well as the giant tortoise that lay underneath, His maya was in the nature of both the Asuras and the Devas. He was the very firmness of Mandara mountain! Here, there and everywhere, He pervaded the whole universe.

As the churning began in earnest, Vasuki could not bear being pulled in both the directions and started emitting poisonous fumes from his mouth. The Asuras who were holding his head were the most affected as they were the nearest. Seeing this, Lord Narayana commanded the rain clouds to shower cool rains and make it easier for everyone. The rains came along with a soft breeze and the churning resumed.

The Asuras and Devas were both losing spirit, not getting any glimpse of the promised Amritha. Again, Lord Narayana joined the Devas to encourage them. He stood gleaming as a dark rain cloud, with golden silk covering Him. His fish-shaped earrings gleamed like lightning, now visible, now invisible, as He churned the ocean along with the Devas. His hair fell on His forehead, and with a toss, the Lord would push the hair back again and again. The garland on His chest moved to and fro along with Him. So radiant and divine was His presence that it appeared as if there was another mountain on the seashore gleaming with its own brilliance.

The waters of the sea started turning white. Sharks, fish and whales started jumping up and down and the churning went on, with no sign of the Amritha.

Read The Next Part Here

Comments

  1. juiMarch 20, 2025 at 6:04 AM

    Already know this story but it was still interesting to read. Your narrative your description was fresh!

    ReplyDelete

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