Samudra Manthan
The gods and the asuras churn the cosmic ocean with a mountain and a serpent to win the nectar of immortality. Poison, a goddess, a physician and a pot of amrit rise from the waves — and a festival of millions is born from four drops.
The verse
Why the ocean was churned
[Traditional account]
Cursed by the sage Durvasa, the devas lost their strength and fortune. Vishnu advised them to make peace with the asuras and churn the ocean of milk (Kshira Sagara) together for amrita, the nectar of immortality.
A mountain and a serpent
Mount Mandara became the churning rod and Vasuki, king of serpents, the rope — the asuras at his head, the devas at his tail. When the mountain began to sink, Vishnu took the form of a great tortoise, Kurma, and held it on his back.
Poison first
Before any treasure, the churning brought up halahala, a poison that threatened every world. Everyone turned to Shiva…
The journey continues for members
- Neelakantha — the blue throat
- What rose from the ocean
- Mohini and the nectar
- Four drops — the Kumbh Mela
- Which texts tell it
- What this teaches
Sources
- Bhagavata Purana — Canto 8, chapters 5–12
- Vishnu Purana — 1.9
- Mahabharata — Adi Parva 15–17
- Valmiki Ramayana — Bala Kanda 45