Samudra Manthana (समुद्रमन्थनम्)

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Samudra Manthana (Samskrit: समुद्रमन्थनम्) refers to the legend of churning the milky ocean.

रामायणे समुद्रमन्थनम् ॥ Samudra Manthana in Ramayana

In the Balakanda (Sarga 45) of the Ramayana, the legend of churning the milky ocean is narrated to Rama and Lakshmana by Maharshi Vishvamitra when they reach the city named Vishala. Maharshi Vishvamitra narrates how halahala, the lethal poison as well as Amrta, emerged from the churning of the ocean. He also describes how Shiva contained the poison and how Vishnu helped the churning in His incarnation as Kurma (tortoise). It is said that,

पूर्वम् कृत युगे राम दितेः पुत्रा महाबलाः | अदितेः च महाभागा वीर्यवन्तः सुधार्मिकाः || १-४५-१५

ततः तेषाम् नरव्याघ्रः बुद्धिः आसीत् महात्मनाम् | अमरा विर्जराः चैव कथम् स्यामो निरामयाः || १-४५-१६

तेषाम् चिंतयताम् तत्र बुद्धिः आसीत् विपश्चिताम् | क्षीर उद मथनम् कृत्वा रसम् प्राप्स्याम तत्र वै || १-४५-१७

ततो निश्चित्य मथनम् योक्त्रम् कृत्वा च वासुकिम् | मन्थानम् मन्दरम् कृत्वा ममन्थुर् अमित ओजसः || १-४५-१८

pūrvam kr̥ta yuge rāma diteḥ putrā mahābalāḥ | aditeḥ ca mahābhāgā vīryavantaḥ sudhārmikāḥ || 1-45-15

tataḥ teṣām naravyāghraḥ buddhiḥ āsīt mahātmanām | amarā virjarāḥ caiva katham syāmo nirāmayāḥ || 1-45-16

teṣām ciṁtayatām tatra buddhiḥ āsīt vipaścitām | kṣīra uda mathanam kr̥tvā rasam prāpsyāma tatra vai || 1-45-17

tato niścitya mathanam yoktram kr̥tvā ca vāsukim | manthānam mandaram kr̥tvā mamanthur amita ojasaḥ || 1-45-18

Meaning: Formerly in Krta yuga, oh, Rama, the highly powerful sons of Diti as well as those of Aditi, possessed of prowess, and virtuous and pious - both great beings - Oh foremost of men (Rama), fell to reflecting, - 'how we can thrive without ageing, illness, and likewise without death.' And as they reflected, it struck them, - 'by churning the ocean of milk, we must obtain amrta.' Deciding upon churning the Milky Ocean, those ones of immeasurable energy making Vasuki, Thousand-headed King of Snakes, the cord and Mt. Mandara as the stick, began churning deep.

हालाहलमहाविषम् ॥ The Poison Halahala

It is during this incident of churning the ocean that the poison halahala is spit out by the Serpent Vasuki. It is said that,

अथ वर्ष सहस्रेण योक्त्र सर्प शिरांसि च | वमन्तो अति विषम् तत्र ददंशुर् दशनैः शिलाः || १-४५-१९

उत्पपाताम् अग्नि संकाशम् हालाहल महाविषम् | तेन दग्धम् जगत् सर्वम् स देव असुर मानुषम् || १-४५-२०

अथ देवा महादेवम् शंकरम् शरणार्थ्तिनः | जग्मुः पशुपतिम् रुद्रम् त्राहि त्राहि इति तुष्टुवुः || १-४५-२१

देवतानाम् भयम् दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वा वाक्यम् तु शारङ्गिणः || १-४५-२५

हालाहलम् विषम् घोरम् संजग्राह अमृत उपमम् | देवान् विसृज्य देवेशो जगाम भगवान् हरः॥ १-४५-२६

ततो देव असुराः सर्वे मनथू रघुनन्दन।

atha varṣa sahasreṇa yoktra sarpa śirāṁsi ca | vamanto ati viṣam tatra dadaṁśur daśanaiḥ śilāḥ || 1-45-19

utpapātām agni saṁkāśam hālāhala mahāviṣam | tena dagdham jagat sarvam sa deva asura mānuṣam || 1-45-20

atha devā mahādevam śaṁkaram śaraṇārthtinaḥ | jagmuḥ paśupatim rudram trāhi trāhi iti tuṣṭuvuḥ || 1-45-21

devatānām bhayam dr̥ṣṭvā śrutvā vākyam tu śāraṅgiṇaḥ || 1-45-25

hālāhalam viṣam ghoram saṁjagrāha amr̥ta upamam | devān visr̥jya deveśo jagāma bhagavān haraḥ॥ 1-45-26

tato deva asurāḥ sarve manathū raghunandana।

Meaning: After a thousand years had gone by, the Thousand-headed serpent Vasuki, serving as the churning cord, began to vomit virulent venom and to bite at the cliffs with its fangs. Thereby, there came out a lot of powerful poison like fire and in consequence, the entire universe with celestials, and Asuras, and men, began to burn. Thereupon, intending to seek refuge, they appeared before the mighty deity, Shankara or Pashupati or Rudra, praying to him saying 'save us, save us.' Witnessing the dismay of the celestials, and hearing also the words of Sharngin (Vishnu), Shiva gulped that lethal poison, halahala, as if it were nectar. And then leaving the deities, the worshipful Hara went away.

कूर्मावतारः ॥ Kurma Avatara

The Kurma incarnation of Lord Vishnu also took place to facilitate the churning of the milky ocean.It is said that,

प्रविवेश अथ पातालं मन्थानः पर्वतोत्तमः॥ १-४५-२७

ततो देवाः स गन्धर्वाः तुष्टुवुः मधुसूदनम्। त्वं गतिः सर्व भूतानां विशेषेण दिवौकसाम्॥ १-४५-२८

पालय अस्मान् महाबाहो गिरिम् उद्धर्तुम् अर्हसि । इति श्रुत्वा हृषीकेशः कामठं रूपमास्थितः॥ १-४५-२९

पर्वतं पृष्टतः कृत्वा शिश्ये तत्र उदधौ हरिः। पर्वताग्रं तु लोकात्मा हस्तेन आक्रम्य केशवः॥ १-४५-३०

देवानां मध्यतः स्थित्वा ममन्थ पुरुषोत्तमः।

praviveśa atha pātālaṁ manthānaḥ parvatottamaḥ॥ 1-45-27

tato devāḥ sa gandharvāḥ tuṣṭuvuḥ madhusūdanam। tvaṁ gatiḥ sarva bhūtānāṁ viśeṣeṇa divaukasām॥ 1-45-28

pālaya asmān mahābāho girim uddhartum arhasi । iti śrutvā hr̥ṣīkeśaḥ kāmaṭhaṁ rūpamāsthitaḥ॥ 1-45-29

parvataṁ pr̥ṣṭataḥ kr̥tvā śiśye tatra udadhau hariḥ। parvatāgraṁ tu lokātmā hastena ākramya keśavaḥ॥ 1-45-30

devānāṁ madhyataḥ sthitvā mamantha puruṣottamaḥ।

Meaning: Then, as the celestials resumed the churning, that foremost of mountains serving as stirrer, caved into the subterranean regions. Thereupon the deities along with gandharva-s prayed to the slayer of Madhu, saying, 'You alone are the recourse to all beings, especially to the celestials. Oh mighty armed one, protect us and recover the mountain.' Having heard this, Hrshikesha (or Hari), assuming the form of a tortoise, stood in the ocean, supporting the mountain on his back; and that atman of all, Keshava, Purushottama, taking hold of the top of the hill by his hand, began to churn the ocean, stationed in the midst of the celestials.

रत्नावतरणम् ॥ Jewels Surface

As the churning progressed, many jewels emerged out of the ocean. Regarding this, it is said,

अथ वर्षसहस्रेण आयुर्वेदमयः पुमान्॥ १-४५-३१

उदतिष्ठत् सुधर्मात्मा स दण्ड सकमण्डलुः। पूर्वं धन्वन्तरिर्नाम अप्सराः च सुवर्चसः॥ १-४५-३२

षष्टिः कोट्योऽभवंस्तासाम् अप्सराणाम् सुवर्चसाम्। असन्ख्येयाः तु काकुत्स्थ याः तासाम् परिचारिकाः॥ १-४५-३४

वरुणस्य ततः कन्या वारुणी रघुनन्दन। उत्पपात महाभागा मार्गमाणा परिग्रहम्॥ १-४५-३६

दितेः पुत्रा न तां राम जगृहुर्वरुणात्मजाम्। अदितेः तु सुता वीर जगृहुः ताम् अनिन्दिताम्॥ १-४५-३७

असुराः तेन दैतेयाः सुराः तेन अदितेः सुताः। हृष्टाः प्रमुदिताः च आसन् वारुणीग्रहणात् सुराः॥ १-४५-३८

उच्चैःश्रवा हयश्रेष्ठो मणिरत्नं च कौस्तुभम्। उदतिष्ठन् नरश्रेष्ठ तथैव अमृतम् उत्तमम्॥ १-४५-३९

atha varṣasahasreṇa āyurvedamayaḥ pumān॥ 1-45-31

udatiṣṭhat sudharmātmā sa daṇḍa sakamaṇḍaluḥ। pūrvaṁ dhanvantarirnāma apsarāḥ ca suvarcasaḥ॥ 1-45-32

ṣaṣṭiḥ koṭyo'bhavaṁstāsām apsarāṇām suvarcasām। asankhyeyāḥ tu kākutstha yāḥ tāsām paricārikāḥ॥ 1-45-34

varuṇasya tataḥ kanyā vāruṇī raghunandana। utpapāta mahābhāgā mārgamāṇā parigraham॥ 1-45-36

diteḥ putrā na tāṁ rāma jagr̥hurvaruṇātmajām। aditeḥ tu sutā vīra jagr̥huḥ tām aninditām॥ 1-45-37

asurāḥ tena daiteyāḥ surāḥ tena aditeḥ sutāḥ। hr̥ṣṭāḥ pramuditāḥ ca āsan vāruṇīgrahaṇāt surāḥ॥ 1-45-38

uccaiḥśravā hayaśreṣṭho maṇiratnaṁ ca kaustubham। udatiṣṭhan naraśreṣṭha tathaiva amr̥tam uttamam॥ 1-45-39

Meaning: After a thousand years of churning had rolled on, there arose a male being, an embodiment of Ayurveda, highly righteous, named Dhanvantari with a stick in his hands and a Kamandalu. And there arose also, from the cream of the churning waters, the magnificent shining Apsaras. There sprang 60 kotis of shining Apsaras. And Oh Kakutstha, the female attendants of those were innumerable. And then, Oh descendent of Raghu, arose the eminently pious daughter of Varuna, Varuni, who came looking for acceptance. And Diti's sons, O Rama, did not accept the daughter of Varuna, - and Aditi's sons, Oh brave one, accepted that one of blameless limbs. And hence Diti's sons go by the name of Asuras; and Aditi's by that of Suras. And the celestials became exceeding glad on having accepted Varuni. Oh foremost of men, next arose Ucchaishrava - best of horses, and also Kaustubha; and next the excellent amrta.

मोहिनी ॥ Mohini

अथ तस्य कृते राम महान् आसीत् कुल क्षयः। अदितेः तु ततः पुत्रा दितेः पुत्रान् असूदयन्॥ १-४५-४०

एकताम् अगमन् सर्वे असुरा राक्शसैः सह। युद्धम् आसीत् महाघोरम् वीर त्रैलोक्य मोहनम्॥ १-४५-४१

यदा क्शयम् गतम् सर्वम् तदा विष्णुः महाबलः। अमृतम् सः अहरत् तूर्णम् मायाम् आस्थाय मोहिनीम्॥ १-४५-४२

ये गता अभिमुखम् विष्णुम् अक्शरम् पुरुषोत्तमम्। संपिष्टाः ते तदा युद्धे बिष्णुना प्रभ विष्णुना॥ १-४५-४३

अदितेः आत्मजा वीरा दितेः पुत्रान् निजघ्‌निरे। अस्मिन् घोरे महायुद्धे दैतेया अदित्यायोः भृशम्॥ १-४५-४४

निहत्य दिति पुत्रान् तु राज्यम् प्राप्य पुरन्दरः। शशास मुदितो लोकान् स ऋषि सन्घान् स चारणान्॥ १-४५-४५

Owing to the dispute regarding the possession of that ambrosia, oh, Rama, then there chanced a rampant ethnic havoc, and then the sons of Aditi have havocked the sons of Diti. All the asura-s and demons have come to one side against sura-s, and there occurred a very gruesome war which was perplexing to all the triad of universe viz., ethereal, real and surreal spheres. When everything is wading into annihilation then that omnicompetent Vishnu swiftly impounded Amrita, the Divine Elixir, by assuming his illusory power of Mohini. Whoever confronted that Eternal and Supreme Person, namely Vishnu, in that war, then Vishnu whose blaze is threefold as manifest in the sun, fire and lightning, has pulverised him. On eliminating the demonic sons of Diti and on acquiring kingdom of heaven, that eliminator of enemy cities, namely Indra, happily ruled the worlds that are inclusive of sages and caarana-s." Thus Vishvamitra continued his narration about Vishaala city and its emergence.

In Krta yuga, the sons of Diti (Asuras) and Aditi (Suras) speculated on how to thrive without ageing, illness, and likewise without death. They thought of getting amrta by churning the Milky Ocean and began by making Vasuki, the thousand-headed King of Snakes, as the churning rope and Mount Mandara as the stirrer. After a thousand years, Vasuki, unable to bear the friction of churning, let out the poisonous venom of halahala. The deities seeking shelter then approached Rudra who gulped that lethal poison as if it was amrta. The Suras and Asuras then continued to churn the Ocean. Now, the loftiest mountain being used as stirrer, caved into the netherworld. The deities along with gandharvas then prayed to Vishnu who adopted the form of a tortoise and positioning Mandara on the tortoiseshell, lay recumbent at the bottom of the Ocean as a base to the stirrer. After a thousand years of churning, Dhanvantari first surfaced followed by the Apsaras, Varuni, Ucchaishrava, Kaustubha, etc. and the amrta. Owing to the dispute regarding the possession of the amrta, a very gruesome war occured. Vishnu then swiftly impounded the amrta by assuming the form of Mohini.

This story is narrated to Rama and Lakshmana by Vishvamitra and appears in the Balakanda (Sarga 45) of the Ramayana.