Stories From The Bhagawatham - Samudra Manthan (Part 3)


 

Slowly, the ocean started bringing forth its secrets.

The first to come out was the dreadful poison Halahal. It was so fierce that the very air turned foul and toxic and the Devas and Asuras could no longer stand there. They sought out the help of Mahadeva, Lord Shiva, in despair.

Mahadeva heard their prayers. He collected the poison in His palms and swallowed it. The poison got stuck in His throat and stayed there forever, turning His neck blue. It only seemed to enhance the beauty of Mahadeva, like a dark jewel placed on His bright neck. While Mahadeva was drinking the poison, few drops fell on to the earth and were consumed by reptiles like snakes and scorpions and some creepers who are still poisonous and are avoided by bees, birds and beasts.

The churning was resumed and this time, a divine cow came out of the ocean, named Kamadhenu. The Rishis took this cow with them to aid in their yajna. Next came Ucchaishravas, a majestic white horse. King Bali immediately sought it for himself. King Indra, even though he desired the horse, remembered the advice of Lord Narayana and let it go.

Then came a majestic white elephant, as white as Mahadeva’s Kailash. This elephant had four tusks and was presented to King Indra who named the elephant Airavat.

Next, the ocean presented a beautiful gem called Kaustubha which was pinkish red in colour. Lord Narayana took this gem for Himself. The gem was then followed by a beautiful tree called Parijatha and then came the Apsaras.

But dominating all of these, came out of the ocean, the gracious Maha Lakshmi. So beautiful was She, that everyone present there wanted Her for themselves. They all offered various gifts to Her. But Maha Lakshmi saw anger, attachment, greed and desire in most of them. It was only Maha Vishnu who stood there in dispassion, having conquered over every passion and attachment. She walked up to Him and placed a garland of lotus on His neck.

Suddenly, out of the ocean, a divine being arose holding a large golden vessel in his hands. He was none other than Dhanvantari, another incarnation of Maha Vishnu.

The Amritha had finally arrived.

Read The Final Part Here

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