The Story of Ganga

Ganga is considered to be the purest rivers in India. It is believed that anyone who bathes in the Ganga would be purified of all the sins committed by him. Do you know the story of how Ganga came to earth?

In the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Bali the Asura King had promised to give Vamana – a dwarf three steps of land to perform his meditation. Lord Vishnu who was the Vamana, then assumed  the Trivikrama form, where he became huge so huge that measured the earth in one step, the heaven in another. Bali then offered his head as the third step. Lord Vishnu pressed Bali and pushed him to the netherworld.

Krishna and Satrajit

In the city of Dwaraka, there lived a man called Satrajit. Satrajit was a great devotee of Surya, the Sun God. He used to worship the Sun God and pray to him daily. Once as Satrajit was offering his prayers to the Sun God, he felt a strange force in the room. Satrajit opened his eyes and was flabbergasted to find the Sun God before him.

Amazed and thrilled, Satrajit fell at the feet of the God. ‘My Lord! You have come…You have blessed me with your presence…’ Satrajit was almost moved to tears. ‘There is absolutely nothing more that I need…’

Krishna and Kalayavana

In the first Yuga – the Satya Yuga, there lived a great king by name Muchukunda. He was brave and brilliant war strategist. Indra, the Lord of the Devas frequently asked him to help against the fight with the asuras.

However one particular battle between the Devas and the Asuras stretched on and on for many years. Muchukunda was so caught up in the battle that he forgot everything else. Every day was just a bloody battle between the Devas and the Asuras and nothing more. King Muchukunda carried on the battle on his shoulders....It went on and on and on.....

Krishna and Satya

The King of Khosala Nagnajit was very worried. He had a very intelligent and skilled daughter – Satya. Marriage proposals poured in from all kingdoms for seeking her hand in marriage…Satya uniformly refused all of them….Nagnajit was in a fix. He then talked to Satya (she is sometimes called as Nagnajiti)

‘Satya! You have refused all the marriage proposals…Why?’ He demanded anxiously from Satya,

Satya already knew whom she wanted to marry…But she felt very shy to admit that to her father…and besides there was also the question of whether …the man…would be interested in marrying her. Satya considered her father’s question and decided the best answer to the question, ‘Father! Organize a swayamvara for me…I wish to choose only the bravest man and marry him…’

The death of Narakasura - the origins of Diwali

Hiranyaksha was a very bad demon. He terrorized all the people in earth and heavens alike. Unable to tolerate him anymore, the people went to Lord Vishnu to protect him from Hiranyaksha. Lord Vishnu promised to help them.

When Hiranyaksha came to know of this, he got about thinking…To protect the earth and its people, Lord Vishnu has to first find the earth…I am going to hide the earth itself so that Lord Vishnu would not be able to find it…Thinking thus, Hiranyaksha using his powers and might pushed the earth itself off its axis!

When Hiranyaksha touched the earth to push her, an asura was created out of the contact between Bhumadevi, the Mother Earth and Hiranyaksha….

Rukmini and Krishna

Bhishmaka, the King of Vidharba, looked around his court with pride. His five sons were strong and powerful and were always around to protect him. Bhishmaka particularly relied on his eldest son – Rukmi, who was the strongest of them all.

However, now when King Bhishmaka thought of Rukmi, he became a little uncomfortable...,....Of late he was worried about the company that his son kept....Sishupala, Dandavakra, Jarasandha, Salva, Viduratha....They were not exactly role models for someone to follow. .Not good at all....Far from it..........

Krishna and Jara - The curse of Gandhari

Bheema and Duryodhana were eying each other murderously their maces in hand. The maces met in mid-air with such a force that the other Pandavas could feel the air around them vibrate….

The other Pandavas were furious as they watched the battle. Duryodhana – the vile scheming, jealous Kaurava was the root cause of the war…The Pandavas had suffered much at their hands. Until now Duryodhana had been protected with his generals and his soldiers. But now he was all alone…..All alone to face the wrath of the Pandavas….He had to pay for all that he had done to them ….

Varaha Avatar

There are ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The first one is the Matsya avatar, where he saved SatyavrataManu and the Sapta rishis with their families from the great flood, by coming in the form of a giant fish. The second avatar is the Kurma avatar, where Lord Vishnu came in the form of a giant tortoise to help in the churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras.

The third avatar of Lord Vishnu is the Varaha Avatar [Varaha means 'boar' in Sanskrit]. In this avatar Lord Vishnu incarnated as a Boar to protect the earth [Prithvi maa].

Matsya Avatar

In Hindu mythology there are four eras [yuga] – Satya yuga, Treta yuga, Dwapara yuga and Kali yuga. Each Yuga is supposed to be a day for Lord Brahma. One day of Lord Brahma is 4320 million human years. After the end of every yuga Lord Brahma goes to sleep. The power of Lord Brahma’s creation comes from the Vedas. When Lord Brahma sleeps there is no creation and the universe comes to an end.
 

Lord Vishnu is the God of Preservation. Whenever the earth was in danger and when evil threatens to overpower good, Lord Vishnu descends from the heaven to incarnate on the earth. There are ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. [Dasavatar – Das meaning ‘ten’ and avatar is ‘incarnation’, the last avatar – Kalki avatar is yet to come] The first avatar of Lord Vishnu is called as Matsya Avatar [Matsya means ‘fish’].

In the Satya Yuga there was a king by name Manu. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. His greatest desire was to see Lord Vishnu with his own eyes. For this he performed severe penances for thousands of years.

The Satya Yuga was about to end and a great flood was to come and destroy all the life on earth to start afresh for the next Yuga. Lord Brahma after a day full of creation, was tired. He wanted to go to sleep and was soon snoring loudly.

While Lord Brahma was sleeping an asura Hayagriva emerged from Brahma’s nose. With Brahma asleep, Hayagriva realized that it was the right time to take in all the knowledge of the Vedas. Hayagriva concentrated and soon absorbed the knowledge in the Vedas. He  then hid deep inside the ocean, thinking that nobody would find him there.

Lord Vishnu saw this and was worried. If the Vedas were stolen by the asura, the knowledge of the Vedas could not be passed on to the Next Yuga. As a Preserver, it was his job to make sure the knowledge survived to the next Yuga.

Wondering what to do, Lord Vishnu looked at Manu performing penance. Lord Vishnu smiled realizing that he could complete quiet a lot than just save the Vedas…

The next morning, Manu went to the river to begin his prayers. He took the water in his hands and held it high above his head and offered it to the Lord Vishnu to mark the beginning of his prayer. He was about to pour the water into the river, when he heard a tiny voice from his hands. ‘O great king! Please do not put me back in the river…’

Surprised Manu stared at his hands. In the palms of his hands was a tiny fish, squirming. The fish looked at Manu, pleading, ‘Please do not put me back in the water. There are so many bigger fishes in the water, they will eat me. Please, O great king…’

Manu looked at the tiny fish with pity. As a king it was his duty to protect anybody who came to him for help. The king readily agreed and put the fish inside his ‘kamandalam’. [Kamandalam is a small jug carried by sages in those days to carry water]

Manu finished his penance and went home for the night. He had left the fish inside the kamandalam, knowing that the fish would be safe inside. He woke up next morning hearing a strong voice, ‘O king…Help me…Your kamandalam is stifling me. I cannot breath in here…’ Surprised Manu looked at his kamandalam, only to find a big fish staring at him from the top of the kamandalam. The fish was pushing the sides of the jug as the jug was too small for it.

Overcoming his surprise, Manu ran inside his house to get a bigger vessel. The fish gulped few breaths and said softly, ‘Thank you, kind king.’

Manu smiled and was about to walk out the home to begin his morning prayers, when he heard an even more powerful voice, ‘King, this vessel in too small for me. Please get me another one.’

Manu blankly stared as the fish stared out of the vessel he had got just minutes back. The fish was again struggling for breath. Manu brought the biggest vessel in his house and threw the fish inside it. The fish thanked him and after checking that the vessel was big enough for the fish, still puzzled, was about to walk out of the house, when he heard a strong voice, ‘I am sorry this vessel is also not sufficient for me, king’

Manu stared in disbelief as he saw the huge fish stare out of the big vessel. However realizing that this was not the time for questions, he carried the fish and ran to the river, where he had found the fish and threw the fish inside.

The fish gulped a few breaths inside water, ‘Thank you…king. You have protected me. But please don’t leave me here. I am afraid the other bigger fishes may eat me…’

Manu began to get suspicious, but he was a king. He could not just stop protecting someone who had come to him for help. He stared at the fish for long and before his very eyes saw the fish getting larger and larger, till it had covered up the entire river.

The same routine followed again. Manu carried the fish from one river to another river, but the fish kept getting bigger.

Finally he dropped the fish inside the ocean, only to find that the fish grown to full one side of the ocean. Looking at gigantic fish, a sudden flash came to Manu. He bowed before the fish, ‘Narayana, you are Narayana..my Lord.’

The fish smiled, ‘You wanted to see me and here I have come.’ Manu stared with tears in his eyes, as a huge horn grew on the head of the fish.

‘My Lord, you have granted me my only desire. I want nothing more. What do you want me to do now?’ Manu said prostrating before the fish.

‘Manu, the Yuga is about to end in seven days. There will be a great flood and all living things on the earth would perish. I want you to build a big ship. Take the seeds of all plants, the male and female of every animal, and the seven sages along with their families. Take them all on the ship’

Manu nodded. The fish continued. ‘Don’t forget to bring Vasuki, the snake God also.’ Manu nodded again as he watched the fish tear through the ocean to the other side.

One half of the fish’s work completed, the fish went to the other side to complete the other reason for the incarnation. On the other end of the ocean, the fish saw Hayagriva  guarding the Vedas. Seeing the huge fish, Hayagriva was terrified. What a huge fish…However no sooner than he had thought this, the fish attacked him. The fish was so huge, that a single push sent the asura reeling. Still dazed Hayagriva tried fighting the fish, but the fish was huge and powerful.

After a brief and futile struggle, the asura was dead. Once the asura was dead, the vedas imbibed by him went back to Lord Brahma, who was still asleep.

On the other side of the ocean Manu was building his ship. He had also brought the seven sages with their families.

Soon there were torrential rains which washed away everything. The water level kept increasing and very soon there was a flood. The ship wobbled and many times was about to capsize, but Manu and that others were steadfast in their belief that Lord Vishnu would protect them.

Soon the fish came as promised, ‘Manu, use Vasuki as a rope to tie my horn to the ship’ It bellowed loudly, above the roar of the rain.

Once the fish was tied to the ship, the fish guided the ship in sea and kept the ship safe while the storm raged outside. The fish taught the Vedas to Manu and the others during the voyage. After the storm abated and everything was washed away, the fish deposited the ship at Mount Himavan for the people there to continue the new yuga.

How Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi

We all know that Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi. Do you want to know the story of how they married?

The story of their marriage starts with Indra – the Lord of the Devas.

Now Indra was a very powerful God. He was the king of the Heaven and the  ruler of the other Gods. However all this got into his head. He became arrogant and became disrespectful to others.

Indra had a four tusked, beautiful white elephant called Airavatha. Whenever Indra felt like going out of the kingdom, he would occasionally travel on Airavatha.

One such time when Indra was traveling on Airavatha, he met Sage Durvasa coming from the other side.

Sage Durvasa was a powerful sage. As he was immersed in meditation most of the times, he had enormous yogic powers within him However he had one drawback. Sage Durvasa got angry exceptionally fast and also cursed people often.

Sage Durvasa while traveling the world had found a fragrant garland. The flowers of the garland never faded and remained fresh always. He was carrying the garland with him when he met Indra coming on Airavatha.

Sage Durvasa felt that Indra being the King of Gods should be given the garland.

On seeing Sage Durvasa, Indra curtly greeted the Sage without saluting him. IN those days, it was customary to salute the wise and learned sages, giving them due respect.

Sage Durvasa however did not get angry at this. He handed over the garland to Indra. ‘Take the garland Indra. It befits you well.’

Indra carelessly took the garland and placed it on Airavatha’s head. The aroma from the garland was so strong that Airavatha took the garland from his head and flung it down.

Looking at the careless manner in which Indra had treated the garland, Sage Durvasa got enraged, ‘Have you forgotten how to greet people and how to behave when you receive a gift. You insolent…’

Indra had the fright of his life. He suddenly remembered the long list of people whom Sage Durvasa had cursed and reduced them to nothing. He swallowed...Lord of the Gods or not, Sage Durvasa was not someone to be taken lightly.

He hastily got down from Airavatha and rushed forward fell on the sage’s feet to prevent the sage from saying anything further. Before the sage could complete his words, Indra cried, ‘Forgive me Sage. I behaved badly. I should have respected you and…’

Sage Durvasa if anything got more angry and snorted, ‘Hah!’ He blazed, ‘Now that you know I am going to curse you, you say you are sorry…Am I supposed to believe that you have realized your folly?...'

Sage Durvasa wagged his fingers angrily, with his blood red eyes. His forehead twitched and he raised his hands ominously, 'You have to be taught a lesson. You have grown arrogant and disrespectful. I curse you that you and your Devas will all lose your power and your vigour. You will have no energy and be tired always…’

Indra shook his head, panic stricken and yelled, 'NO!...Please no....Have mercy on me...Please my Lord...Have mercy...'

However the sage's word were powerful. Indra could feel his power being drained. He imagined that the other Devas were also facing the same thing.

Indra knew that he had made a huge error and all his friends were paying for his mistake. He had to set things right. Indra still hugged the sage's feet and begged forgiveness from the sage, ‘Please Sage Durvasa. Forgive my mistake. Do not give all of us such a harsh punishment…Please’

But all his pleas fell on deaf ears. Sage Durvasa looked at Indra with blood red eyes, ‘I will not forgive your mistake…’ Sage Durvasa with a stiff upper lip pushed Indra away and walked away, without looking back.

Indra tried talking to the sage again, but he felt his energy ebb away. Try as he might, he could not match the speed of the great Rishi. Though Indra tried following the Sage, he fell unconscious. After some time, Indra woke up to find the sage gone. He was all alone. Indra returned home a dejected man

He called in the council of the other Gods only to find all the other Devas also tired and listless.

Haltingly, Indra explained to the Devas, his encounter with Sage Durvasa. The other Devas were also feeling the effects of the curse. When they came to hear Indra's explanations, the other Devas were panic stricken, wondering what to do.

All the Gods were sitting in the chamber in a subdued and a defeated manner, when a guard suddenly burst inside the room, ‘Devendra, Devendra… you are needed!’ He ran inside breathless and was surprised to find all the Gods sitting listless.

The Gods were too tired to ask what was wrong.

The guard asked Agni what had happened. Agni explained haltingly about what happened. The guard's eyes looked wildly as he looked panic stricken. 'We are doomed...' He whispered softly.

Indra looked sharply at the guard, 'Explain yourself my man. What happened?'

The Guard still looked terrified when he whispered, 'It is the Asuras, sir... they are attacking us....'

The Guard looked at the floor, wondering whether any one would even survive the attack, forget defending themselves.

Indra and his council of Gods looked like they had been petrified. This was bad, very bad. The Devas and the Asuras were forever at war and more often than not, the Devas won because of their superior technology. However now with the Devas feeling so tired, they doubted whether they could even survive the fight let alone win it.

Indra knew it was suicide to even try to defend themselves. However he was left with no choice. In those days, when anyone was challenged to a fight, they had to fight back. It was a matter of honour.

Needless to say, the Devas were routed and most of them fled Devaloka. The Asuras laughed at the Devas calling them cowards and the chief of the Asuras – Bali crowned himself as the King of Devaloka.

The Devas thrown out of their home went to the Creator – Brahma's place – Satyaloka. Tired and unhappy with their defeat at the hands of the Asuras, the Devas were glad to finally reach Brahma's place. They saluted Brahma and told him everything and asked for a way out.

Brahma was flabbergasted. How could Indra behave so arrogantly towards a noble sage? Brahma yelled at Indra, 'How could you, Indra? I had asked you to be patient and wise like a leader. You do not behave like someone you is the King of Devas...' He said his eyes blazing looking at Indra.

Indra was downcast, unhappily, wishing that he had never met Sage Durvasa. He could see now that he had behaved very arrogantly and all the Devas were paying the price for his carelessness.

He fell on the feet of Brahma, 'Father... father, forgive me...I have behaved badly.' He pointed at the other Devas, 'They are also suffering because of my actions. Please father I will do anything to set this right...I will beg Sage Durvasa to take back his curse...' He said a tears coming to his eyes.

Brahma put his hands on Indra's head, realizing that Indra had learnt his lesson. 'Sage Durvasa is not an easy man to talk to. If you attempt to go and talk to him about the curse, he would get angry further...' Indra gulped. He could do without one more curse... Brahma shook his head and sighed, No that would not be the way... there would have to be another way.

Brahma realized that there was no use getting angry at Indra any further and decided to let it go at that. And besides he had other things to worry about.

Brahma was worried about the defeat of the Devas at the hands of the Asuras. The Devas were supposed to look after the natural elements of the world. Who knows what could happen when the Asuras were in charge? He needed to help the Devas and fast, otherwise the future of the entire universe was at stake.

But Brahma was a creator God. He did not know how he could set right his problem. But he knew who could set this right. He looked at the Devas. 'We need to go to Vaikunta, my sons. I am sure Lord Vishnu will solve this problem.'

Saying Brahma got ready to leave for Vaikunta – Lord Vishnu's place. At the mention of Vishnu's name, Indra's eyes sparkled. He knew well about the Dark God. He always had a solution to any problem and would help them no matter what.

Much more happier now all the Devas went to Vaikunta and met Vishnu.

Vishnu saw the tired Gods accompanied by Lord Brahma and narrowed his eyes, 'Well Indra, What have you done now?'

Indra sighed and fell on his knees, 'Lord, stop teasing me. You know everything that happens anywhere...Please do not shame me any more...' He said dejectedly looking downcast.

Vishnu turned his eyes on Brahma. 'Well, should I forgive him?' He asked pointing at Indra.

Brahma looked at Indra and nodded his head. 'My Lord I think he has learnt his lesson.'

'Ok' Vishnu said letting out a sigh. He had known the entire episode with Sage Durvasa.

Vishnu went to Indra and said with twinkling eyes. 'I cannot help you. Only the Asuras can help you now...'

Indra jerked his head up. The other Gods looked at each other and at Vishnu wondering whether they had heard right. Even Brahma looked a little confused.

'My Lord...' Agni began hesitantly sure that he had heard right.

Vishnu smiled his twinkling eyes again, 'Do you know the secrets that are hidden within our great Ocean...'

All the Gods shook their heads. In those times there was a single ocean running through the entire world. It was a very deep ocean, which had never been explored.

When none of the Gods answered, Vishnu answered the question himself, 'Well a lot of things...' Vishnu smiled blissfully, '...including something to help you...Amrita'

Vayu's eyes widened, 'My Lord, did you say Amrita...?' All the Gods exchanged awe-struck glances. Amrita was the ultimate drink. Anyone who drank Amrita would never die, or age and would become extraordinarily powerful...

Agni looked at Varuna, slowly a hope creeping into his tired eyes. However Indra frowned, 'However my Lord, how can we get the Amrita out of the ocean...And my Lord, why do we need the help of the Asuras...? Why....?'

Vishnu held up his hands, Indra was indeed a good leader, who thought through everything...'Patience my good Indra. The Amrita has to be churned out of the ocean. For that you need a churner. Mount Mandara will be your churner.'

Vayu's eyes grew round – Lifting Mount Mandara on the best of days was impossible. Lifting it in their present condition was going to be impossible.

Indra however understood. They needed the help of the Asuras to break the mountain and take it to the Ocean. However he had another question.

'My Lord,' Indra bowed, 'The rope for churning the ocean?'

Vishnu smiled, 'Ask Vasuki the snake God to be the rope. Promise his share in the nectar, I think he will agree.'

Indra bowed. There was one question which was burning him. He however had no doubt that the Dark God had thought about it.

Agni however asked the question for him, 'My lord, if the Asuras help us, we would have to share the nectar with them, how can we stop them?

Vishnu smiled and gave a mischievous smile. 'I will take care of that.' The finality with which he said it brooked no further arguments. The Gods had no doubt that Lord Vishnu would give them the Amrita.

Lord Vishnu looked at the tired faces of all the Gods and said, 'Henceforth you will not feel as tired as you are now. Though I cannot turn back the curse of the great sage Durvasa, I can make it go slow. You will lose your energy slowly. Make sure, you finish the job before you lose all your energy.'

The Gods bowed their heads and thanked Vishnu, their joy knowing no bounds. Already their visit to Lord Vishnu had revived them. Indra and the other Gods began to feel stronger...

'Take care of the other things.' Vishnu said. As the Gods were about to leave, Vishnu called them, ' Make sure you hold Vasuki's tail and not his head, while churning the ocean.' None of the Gods could make sense of the cryptic comment, but they knew that they had been dismissed. They left Vaikunta happier, knowing what had to be done..

Indra with Vayu and Agni first went to see the Asura King Bali.

On seeing Indra unarmed, the Asura king's ministers wanted to kill Indra. However Bali decided too hear them out.

Indra laid out the entire plans. 'We want to get the Amrita out of the ocean.' He began without any preamble. Indra watched Bali's eyes grow round. His minster blankly stared at Indra, as if he had gone mad. 'Amrita, you mean the Amrita. The one that...'

Bali looked at Indra and realized that he was speaking the truth. He silenced his minsters. 'How do you propose to do that?' He asked softly, wondering whether the Devas were trustworthy.

Indra told him about about Mount Mandara and Vasuki. 'This cannot be done by you or by us alone...'

One of Bali's minster interrupted harshly, 'We do not need your help, you coward...we can do this...'

'SILENCE!' Bali roared and the minster abruptly stopped talking. Bali angrily eyed the minister and then turned to Indra, 'We need each other. We do this together.' He nodded his head curtly and dismissed Indra. Indra left with Vayu and Agni happy that the first part of the plan went well.

Indra then alone went to the Vasuki – the king of snakes.

Indra saluted Vasuki and told him about the Devas and the Asuras planned to churn the ocean and that they needed a rope.

Vasuki realized immediately his role and said hissing, 'Well it is a tough job, but I agree. I assume, I will get part of the nectar when the churning is done?'

Indra nodded his head. Vasuki nodded his head satisfied. Being the king of snakes and a God, he could get away from all the stretching and pulling without getting hurt too much.

Soon the big day arrived, the Devas and the Asuras went to the Mount Mandara. They prayed to Mount Mandara and set about breaking the mountain, to carry it to the ocean. Mount Mandara was a heavy mountain and with every single Deva and Asura breaking the mountain, it was still a tough job.

Finally, the mountain was free, the Devas and the Asuras all of them together lifted the mountain. They carried the mountain for a few feet, when the Devas and the Asuras staggered. Mount Mandara was beyond even their combined capabilities. The mountain fell down and crushed many Devas and Asuras carrying the mountain.

Indra tired from his exertion and the death of so many of the other Gods, sat under a tree, cursing himself for the fate of the other Gods. Oh Lord, what are we to do now. We cannot even get the mountain to the ocean let alone churn it...Please help us...He thought drying his eyes

That was when he suddenly smelled a whiff of fresh air, so powerful and strong, Indra felt so strong that he could lift Mount Mandara all by himself. He had had this feeling once before. He turned and saw Lord Vishnu near him. Lord Vishnu smiled and pointed Indra to look at Mount Mandara once more.

Indra got up to his feet forgetting all his tiredness and saw Lord Vishnu single handed lift the mountain and place it on Garuda – Vishnu's vehicle. Garuda, the king of the birds, lifted the mountain as if it was no weight at all. Vishnu spelled out a mantra and sprinkled some water on the Devas and the Asuras lying under Mounta Mandara. The Devas and the Asuras woke up, as they had been asleep.

Indra overjoyed threw himself at his friend's arms, seeing them alive. 'Vayu!' he cried, almost sobbing, 'you are alive!'

Vayu looked strangely at Indra, 'What happened? I remember lifting Mount Mandara, and then nothing...'

Bali was meanwhile looking after his colleagues and making sure they were ok. He looked at Vishnu and thanked Vishnu.

Indra explained to Vayu and the other Gods about how they were crushed under the Mountain. All the Devas and the Asuras fell at Lord Vishnu's feet and thanked him. Vishnu smiled and he carried Mount Mandara on Garuda's back and placed it near the ocean and turned to Garuda, 'Friend, it is best you do not come to this place again. Vasuki the king of serpents would never come as long as you are here.' Garuda nodded. Birds and snakes were natural enemies... Garuda flew off. Lord Vishnu also vanished.

Both the Devas and the Asuras feeling happy now, went near the ocean to place Mount Mandara inside the ocean.

That was when they had another problem.

When the Devas and the Asuras placed the mountain inside the ocean, there was nothing to hold up the mountain, and it kept slipping down, inside the huge ocean.

The Devas and the Asuras were dejected once again. They could not find anything huge enough to give support to the mountain inside the ocean to prevent it from slipping deep inside.

Indra bitterly complained to Agni, 'How can we churn the ocean, Agni. The mountain keeps sinking inside the ocean. I do not think we can find anything big enough to support Mount Mandara...To come so close and no be able to to anything...' Indra said frustrated.

Agni gently touched Indra's shoulder. 'Lord Vishnu will help us,' he said. Indra nodded and prayed to the Lord once more. Oh Lord please help us. This can be solved only by you...

Lord Vishnu came in the form a giant tortoise [his second avatar – Kurma Avatar] and plunged into the ocean. He went under the ocean and picked the submerged Mount Mandara and put it on his back. The Mountain now stood firmly on the tortoise's back, inside the ocean.

Now the Devas and the Asuras dropped medicinal herbs into the ocean, so that their churning would lead to good results.

The Devas asked Vasuki to come and coil himself around the mountain and started the actual churning.

After Vasuki coiled himself, Lord Vishnu's warning flashed through Indra's head Make sure you hold Vasuki's tail and not his head. Indra now knew what he had to do.

He rushed forward and grabbed Vasuki's head, almost strangling Vasuki in the process. 'We are going to hold on the head, you can hold on to the other side.' He said to the Asura King contemptuously. Bali wondered what could have prompted Indra to act such, when his minster rushed forward. 'You weakling! You dare make such demands! Who are you to say anything? Don't forget you are weak and you are outnumbered. We...'

Bali tried to think wondering whether this was a trap, however his minister has grabbed Vasuki's head and pushed Indra back. Indra fell back and pretended to be dejected as he went over to the over side.

The other Gods winked at Indra knowing that his plan had worked well. The Asuras were feeling very happy that Indra had not got the upper hand. They laughed at Indra for being such a coward for not fighting...

However their happiness was short lived. After the churning started the Devas realized why Lord Vishnu had insisted on the Devas holding the tail.

Vasuki was the king of snakes and when he was pulled, he involuntarily spat out the venom in his mouth. The Asuras being near the mouth were badly burnt by the poison.

Bali seethed seeing the blisters and marks on the Asuras hands. But there was nothing he could do. They had accepted to take the mouth and they were stuck with the choice.

After hours of churning, the firs thing to emerge from the ocean was the poison Halahal. The Devas and the Asuras alike were stung by the poison. The Halahal mushroomed into a huge cloud threatening to engulf the whole world. If the poison was not removed, the whole world would be suffocated.

Indra fell on his knees followed by the other Devas, 'Oh Shiva, please save us from this destruction. You are the only one who can save us.' Indra muttered a small prayer, his eyes and throat stinging.

Shiva heard the prayers and came to their rescue immediately. He realized that if something was not done the Halahal would destroy the entire universe. He grabbed the entire poison in his palm and swallowed it in a gulp. He realized that he had put himself in danger, but that was the only way to save the universe.

Parvati who was beside Shiva stared horror struck at what Shiva had done. 'NO! What have you...?'

Realizing that she had only a few minutes to act, she immediately grasped Shiva's throat and arrested the poison in his throat, so that the poison would neither come out nor affect Shiva in any way.

She breathed deeply, when she realized that Shiva was alright. However the poison's effect was so bad that Shiva's throat where the poison was stored, turned blue. Since that day, Shiva has been called as 'Nilkanta' which meant 'blue throat'.

The Devas and the Asuras thanked Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and with their blessings resumed the churning. Subsequently the Kamadhenu cow, Ucchashravas horse, Kalpavriksha tree etc. also came out of the ocean. These were shared by the Devas and the Asuras.

The next to come was the beautiful Goddess Lakshmi. She looked so beautiful that the Devas and the Asuras stopped churning and simply gazed at her.

Eager to get her attention, the Devas scrambled to get a chair for her to sit. The apsaras [dancing maidens] danced for the Goddess and in the end handed her a garland.

In those days, it was customary for a woman of marriageable age to choose her own husband. This was called as 'swayamwara'.

All the Devas, Asuras and Gods [Even Lord Vishnu had come in his human form] were waiting for the Goddess to choose. Every God wondered who would be the lucky one.

Goddess Lakshmi saw all the assembled Devas, Asuras and Gods. She studied Dark God Vishnu with his beautiful twinkling eyes and mischievous smile.

She smiled once and garlanded Lord Vishnu, choosing him above all the others.

The Gods cheered when they saw Goddess Lakshmi marry Lord Vishnu. She was the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and he was the Preserving God. They all sensed that she was the Goddess Supreme, who had manifested herself as Lakshmi to become Lord Vishnu's wife – his power and his strength.

Thus with great pomp and show, Goddess Lakshmi married Lord Vishnu during the churning of the ocean.

Subsequently the ocean also yielded the amrita and how Lord Vishnu gave the Amrita only to the Devas without giving any to the Asuras is another story!

Samundra Manthan

After Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi who came out of the churning of the ocean, the Devas and the Asuras continued their churning.

Many precious stones and treasures emerged from the ocean, but the amrita was nowhere in sight.

The Devas and the Asuras were almost ready to give up, when they decided to give it one last try. Finally from the ocean emerged – Dhanvantri, with the pot of Amrita.

When it was out, the Asuras ran after Dhanvantri and grabbed the pot from him.

Indra fought forwards and shouted at Bali – the Asura King. 'You said we would share the Amrita. All of us have worked for...'

'THUMP' Indra fell down dazed as Bali punch him in the jaw. Indra's eyes were swimming, as he fell down hard. 'FOOL! Did you really think, we would share such a precious gift with you – our arch enemies?' He taunted Indra, who was lying down. Abruptly he turned to his men, 'All of you go to the side, we will share all the proceeds of the nectar. The Devas,' he said turning contemptuously looking at Indra, 'cannot stop us now.'

Varuna helped Indra on his feet. Indra closed his eyes, his worst nightmares coming true.This was not to be this way. Lord Vishnu had promised...Oh Lord Vishnu!...Please Lord help us now...If the Asuras take the Amrita, we are doomed...

Indra opened his eyes, when he saw a lovely lady standing before him. He had seen plenty of beautiful women, but he could not compare this woman with any one of them. He had just seen Goddess Lakshmi emerge from the ocean. While Goddess Lakshmi had been elegant and beautiful, this woman on the other hand, was enchantingly beautiful.

He saw the Asuras being captivated by the beautiful woman.

He saw Bali approach the woman. 'Who are you, beautiful?'

The woman opened her mouth and spoke in a melodious voice, which even captivated Indra. 'I am Mohini.'

Bali licked his lips, 'Well Mohini' he said pointing at him and his men, totally ignoring the Devas, 'we have just won a precious gift. We are all going to share it. We would be grateful if you would be the one who gave us all the share.'

Mohini smiled sweetly and arched her eyebrows, 'Me. You want me to divide this amongyou?'

Bali seemed incapable of talking to the woman and simply nodded.

Mohini nodded, 'Very well!' She took the pot of Amrita in her delicate hands, and turned to look at the Devas, 'By the way, who are they?'

Bali spoke contemptuously, 'Nothing worth your attention, my dear lady.'

Mohini shook her head, 'Well that does not seem right. If you are in it together, atleast have them with you, while you have the fruits of your labour.'

Bali was about to shake his head, when his minister intervened, 'Oh yes! If you say so. We will have them with us and let them watch while we take the nectar.'

Bali was about to get angry at his minister, when he saw Mohini's face. It looked radiant and happy at this decision. He also nodded mutely utterly captivated by her.

Mohini made the Devas and the Asuras sit on two sides. She served the Amrita to the Devas first, smiling sweetly at the Asuras. The Asuras contended with her smile forgot to notice, that they had not been served any Amrita. Even Bali was bewitched by Mohini.

However one of the Asuras - Rahu saw something amiss. He saw that the beautiful woman had almost served all the Amrita to the Devas and served nothing to the Asuras.

He sneaked over to the other side and sat beside Surya and Chandra. Mohini did not notice any difference and served Rahu some Amrita.

The Devas were about to gulp the Amrita, when Surya and Chandra noticed something amiss. There was an extra Deva on their side. One whom they had never met before.

Surya looked closely and he gulped his Amrita and yelled, 'He is no Deva,' pointing at Rahu.

Chandra who was close by also yelled, 'I have never seen him before in my life...'

Rahu had taken the Amrita and as it was in his throat, the bewitching Mohini threw the Sudarshana Chakra at Rahu's throat preventing Rahu from swallowing the nectar.

The Devas quickly swallowed the Amrita as they saw Mohini change form and assume the form that they had always loved - that of Lord Vishnu. Mohini was Lord Vishnu!

As the Devas took the amrita, they felt energy fill them countering all the effects of Sage Durvasa's curse. They felt powerful, in control and strong. They had become immortal.

The Asuras realized too late that they were duped, fell upon the Devas angrily. However now as the Devas had taken the nectar, they Devas routed the Asuras.

The battle was fierce and short, but the Asuras were destroyed completely and escaped to netherworld from fear of the Devas.

However as Rahu had taken the amrita and Rahu's head had become immortal. Even now, it is believed that Rahu attacks the sun and the moon occasionally for ratting him out, which causes the solar and lunar eclipses in our planet.