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== रामायणे समुद्रमन्थनम् ॥ Samudra Manthana in Ramayana ==

== 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).<ref>Ramayana, Balakanda, [http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga45/bala_45_frame.htm Sarga 45].</ref> It is said that,

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).<ref>Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, [http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga45/bala_45_frame.htm Sarga 45].</ref> It is said that,<blockquote>पूर्वम् कृत युगे राम दितेः पुत्रा महाबलाः | अदितेः च महाभागा वीर्यवन्तः सुधार्मिकाः || १-४५-१५

पूर्वम् कृत युगे राम दितेः पुत्रा महाबलाः |

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

अदितेः च महाभागा वीर्यवन्तः सुधार्मिकाः || १-४५-१५

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

ततः तेषाम् नरव्याघ्रः बुद्धिः आसीत् महात्मनाम् |

ततो निश्चित्य मथनम् योक्त्रम् कृत्वा च वासुकिम् | मन्थानम् मन्दरम् कृत्वा ममन्थुर् अमित ओजसः || १-४५-१८<ref name=":0">Ramayana, Balakanda, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AB Sarga 45].</ref>

अमरा विर्जराः चैव कथम् स्यामो निरामयाः || १-४५-१६

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

तेषाम् चिंतयताम् तत्र बुद्धिः आसीत् विपश्चिताम् |

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

क्षीर उद मथनम् कृत्वा रसम् प्राप्स्याम तत्र वै || १-४५-१७

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

ततो निश्चित्य मथनम् योक्त्रम् कृत्वा च वासुकिम् |

''tato niścitya mathanam yoktram kr̥tvā ca vāsukim | manthānam mandaram kr̥tvā mamanthur amita ojasaḥ || 1-45-18''</blockquote>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.<ref name=":1">Manmatha Nath Dutt (1891), The Ramayana - [https://archive.org/details/Valmiki_Ramayana_English_Prose_Translation_7_volumes_by_Manmatha_Nath_Dutt_1891_to_1894/page/n7 Balakandam], Calcutta.</ref>

 

मन्थानम् मन्दरम् कृत्वा ममन्थुर् अमित ओजसः || १-४५-१८

 

Once in Krita era, oh, Rama, the sons of Lady Diti were extremely energetic, whereas the sons of her younger sister Lady Aditi were vigorous and highly righteous. Oh, tigerly-man, Rama, then those great-souls speculated as to 'how we can thrive without ageing, illness, and likewise without death.' A thought occurred to those masterminds who were thinking on that matter clueing them up, 'we indeed can get elixir of life by churning the Milky Ocean. Deciding upon to churn the Milky Ocean then made Vasuki, Thousand-headed King of Snakes, as the churning rope and Mt. Mandara as stirrer, and those brothers whose energy is unlimited have started churning the Milky Ocean thoroughly.  

=== हालाहलमहाविषम् ॥ The Poison Halahala ===

=== हालाहलमहाविषम् ॥ The Poison Halahala ===

अथ वर्ष सहस्रेण योक्त्र सर्प शिरांसि च |

It is during this incident of churning the ocean that the poison halahala is spit out by the Serpent Vasuki. It is said that, <blockquote>अथ वर्ष सहस्रेण योक्त्र सर्प शिरांसि च | वमन्तो अति विषम् तत्र ददंशुर् दशनैः शिलाः || १-४५-१९

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

उत्पपाताम् अग्नि संकाशम् हालाहल महाविषम् |

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

तेन दग्धम् जगत् सर्वम् स देव असुर मानुषम् || १-४५-२०

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

अथ देवा महादेवम् शंकरम् शरणार्थ्तिनः |

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

एवम् उक्{]तः ततो देवैः देवेश्वरः प्रभुः |

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

प्रादुर् आसीत् ततो अत्र एव शंख चक्र धरो हरिः || १-४५-२२

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

उवाच एनम् स्मितम् कृत्वा रुद्रम् शूलधरम् हरिः |

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

दैवतैः मध्यमानो तु तत् पूर्वम् समुपस्थितम् || १-४५-२३

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

तत् त्वदीयम् सुरश्रेष्ठः सुराणाम् अग्रतो हि यत् |

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

अग्र पूजामि इह स्थित्वा गृहाण इदम् विषम् प्रभो || १-४५-२४

''tato deva asurāḥ sarve manathū raghunandana।''</blockquote>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.<ref name=":1" />

 

The Kurma incarnation of Lord Vishnu also took place to facilitate the churning of the milky ocean.It is said that,<blockquote>प्रविवेश अथ पातालं मन्थानः पर्वतोत्तमः॥ १-४५-२७

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

 

देवान् विसृज्य देवेशो जगाम भगवान् हरः॥ १-४५-२६

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

After a thousand years, the Thousand-headed serpent Vaasuki, which is being used as churning rope, is incapacitated to bear the friction of churning and fanged the cliffs of Mt. Mandara. Thereby a great lot of venom is disgorged from the heads of that serpent Vaasuki, which venom on melting the rocks of Mt. Mandara became the holocaustic poison called haalahala. A lethal poison similar to inferno known as haalahala has started to fulminate therefrom, by which whole universe of gods, non-gods and humans is burnt down. The gods seeking shelter then approached Rudra, the Cardinal God, Endower of Solace, and who husbands all the created animals inclusive of human-animals, namely Shiva, and they prayed to him saying 'save, save us.' And on observing the scare of gods and also on paying heed to the words of the Wielder of Bow called shaara~Nga, namely Vishnu, god Shiva gulped that lethal poison, haalahala , as if it is ambrosia. The god of gods Hara then left for his abode Kailash parting with other gods, and oh, Rama, the joy of Raghu's dynasty, the gods and non-gods have continued to churn the Milky Ocean.

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

=== कूर्मावतारः ॥ Kurma Avatara ===

देवानां मध्यतः स्थित्वा ममन्थ पुरुषोत्तमः।<ref name=":0" />

त्वम् गतिः सर्व भूतानाम् विशेषेण दिवौकसाम्॥ १-४५-२८

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

इति श्रुत्वा हृषीकेशः कामठम् रूपम् आस्थितः॥ १-४५-२९

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

''devānāṁ madhyataḥ sthitvā mamantha puruṣottamaḥ।''</blockquote>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.<ref name=":1" />

 

 

 

Now the loftiest mountain that is being used as stirrer, namely Mt. Mandara, has caved into the netherworld, thereby the gods along with gandharva-s have prayed to Madhusuudana, the other name of Vishnu. You alone are the recourse to all beings, especially to the dwellers in heavens, oh ambidextrous god Vishnu, you safeguard us, it will be apt of you elevate the mountain.' So prayed gods to Vishnu. Hearing the prayer of gods Vishnu, Hrisheekesha, the controller of senses, adopting the form a tortoise and positioning the stirring Mt. Mandara on that tortoiseshell, he lay recumbent at the bottom of Milky Ocean as a base to the stirrer. Keshava then reached out his hand and grasped the mountaintop as he is the Cosmic-Soul, and thus staying amid gods that Supreme Person Vishnu participated in churning the ocean by holding the stirring mountain upright.  

=== रत्नावतरणम् ॥ Jewels Surface ===

=== रत्नावतरणम् ॥ Jewels Surface ===

अथ वर्ष सहस्रेण आयुर्वेदमयः पुमान्॥ १-४५-३१

As the churning progressed, many jewels emerged out of the ocean. Regarding this, it is said,<blockquote>अथ वर्षसहस्रेण आयुर्वेदमयः पुमान्॥ १-४५-३१

 

 

 

 

असन्ख्येयाः तु काकुत्स्थ याः तासाम् परिचारिकाः॥ १-४५-३४

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

अप्रतिग्रहणात् एव ता वै साधारणाः स्मृताः॥ १-४५-३५

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

उत्पपात महाभागा मार्गमाणा परिग्रहम्॥ १-४५-३६

उच्चैःश्रवा हयश्रेष्ठो मणिरत्नं च कौस्तुभम्। उदतिष्ठन् नरश्रेष्ठ तथैव अमृतम् उत्तमम्॥ १-४५-३९<ref name=":0" />

अदितेः तु सुता वीर जगृहुः ताम् अनिन्दिताम्॥ १-४५-३७

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

हृष्टाः प्रमुदिताः च आसन् वारुणी ग्रहणात् सुराः॥ १-४५-३८

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

उदतिष्ठन् नरश्रेष्ठ तथैव अमृतम् उत्तमम्॥ १-४५-३९

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

After a thousand years of churning, then a male personality, an epitome of Life Sciences, namely '''aayur veda''' , a highly righteous soul, named Dhanvantari, has firstly surfaced with his arm-rest-stick and with his handy water-vessel, and then the remarkably elegant Apsara-s, angelic damsels, have emerged next to him from the Milky Ocean. Oh, descendent of Raghu, then the heaven-sent damsel Vaaruni came up from Milky Ocean searching for her espousal, who is the daughter of Varuna, the Rain-god, and who incidentally is the presiding deity of hard liquors and also called as sura. Then a best horse called Ucchaishravaa has emerged, oh, Rama, the best among men, and then a gem of a jewel, called Kaustubha, and like that amrita, the Supreme ambrosial elixir of gods, have also emerged.  

''uccaiḥśravā hayaśreṣṭho maṇiratnaṁ ca kaustubham। udatiṣṭhan naraśreṣṭha tathaiva amr̥tam uttamam॥ 1-45-39''</blockquote>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.<ref name=":1" />

=== मोहिनी ॥ Mohini ===

=== मोहिनी ॥ Mohini ===

अथ तस्य कृते राम महान् आसीत् कुल क्षयः।

As the amrta emerged as a result of the churning of the ocean, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Mohini for the protection and disbursement of the amrta. It is said that,<blockquote>अथ तस्य कृते राम महान् आसीत् कुलक्षयः। अदितेः तु ततः पुत्रा दितेः पुत्रान् असूदयन्॥ १-४५-४०

अदितेः तु ततः पुत्रा दितेः पुत्रान् असूदयन्॥ १-४५-४०

एकताम् अगमन् सर्वे असुरा राक्षसैः सह। युद्धम् आसीन् महाघोरं वीरत्रैलोक्यमोहनम्॥ १-४५-४१

युद्धम् आसीत् महाघोरम् वीर त्रैलोक्य मोहनम्॥ १-४५-४१

ये गता अभिमुखं विष्णुम् अक्षरं पुरुषोत्तमम्। संपिष्टाः ते तदा युद्धे विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना॥ १-४५-४३

अमृतम् सः अहरत् तूर्णम् मायाम् आस्थाय मोहिनीम्॥ १-४५-४२

निहत्य दिति पुत्रांश्च राज्यं प्राप्य पुरन्दरः। शशास मुदितो लोकान् सर्षिसन्घान् सचारणान्॥ १-४५-४५<ref name=":0" />

संपिष्टाः ते तदा युद्धे बिष्णुना प्रभ विष्णुना॥ १-४५-४३

''ekatām agaman sarve asurā rākṣasaiḥ saha। yuddham āsīn mahāghoraṁ vīratrailokyamohanam॥ 1-45-41''

अस्मिन् घोरे महायुद्धे दैतेया अदित्यायोः भृशम्॥ १-४५-४४

''ye gatā abhimukhaṁ viṣṇum akṣaraṁ puruṣottamam। saṁpiṣṭāḥ te tadā yuddhe viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā॥ 1-45-43''

शशास मुदितो लोकान् स ऋषि सन्घान् स चारणान्॥ १-४५-४५

''nihatya diti putrāṁśca rājyaṁ prāpya purandaraḥ। śaśāsa mudito lokān sarṣisanghān sacāraṇān॥ 1-45-45''</blockquote>Meaning: Tremendous was the carnage for the possession of the amrta; Aditi's and Diti's son fought together. All the asura-s assembled to one side and Oh brave one, mighty was the battle that was fought, striking terror into the three worlds. And when a great havoc had been committed, the highly powerful Vishnu, assuming a captivating form of Mohini speedily stole away the amrta. And whoever confronted that Eternal and Supreme being, Vishnu (in that war), were crushed in conflict by Vishnu in a different form. And in that exceedingly dreadful battle between the sons of Diti and Aditi, Aditi's heroic sons eliminated the sons of Diti. Having eliminated the sons of Diti and regaining their kingdom of Svarga, Purandara (Indra), happily began to rule the worlds, containing sages and charanas.<ref name=":1" /> And thus, Vishvamitra concluded his narration about the Samudra Manthana.

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.

Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Adhyaya 141, after verse 8 (Uma Shankara Samvada - Nilakantha)<ref>Shastri, Ramnarayanadatta Pandey, Mahabharata Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation), Gorakhpur:Gita Press.</ref>

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

== विष्णुपुराणे समुद्रमन्थनम् ॥ Samudra Manthana in Vishnu Purana ==

== References ==

== References ==