Sage Durvasa’s curse on Indra weakened the Devas, so the Asuras attacked Swarga. Due to their lack of strength, the Devtas were forced to abandon the battle and leave heaven to survive. They approached Brahma for assistance, who then forwarded them to Vishnu.
Vishnu suggested the Devas make a peace offer to the Asuras for something valuable. The Devas considered it and approached the Asuras. After a truce, Devtas, and Asuras churned Kshira Sagara for Amrita. Vasuki was the rope and Mandara (Samudra Manthan) was the spinning rod.
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They churned using Mandara mountain and Vasuki, as instructed by Vishnu, and threw all kinds of therapeutic herbs into the ocean. Vishnu instructed the Devas to join hands with Asura King Maharaja Bali. Asuras and Devas carried the mountain. The mountain’s weight fatigued most Devtas and Asuras. Many died. Vishnu and Garuda then placed the mountain in the water.
Vishnu urged Garuda to depart so Vasuki could come. Brahma sat atop the mountain for equilibrium. Asuras and Devas called Vasuki, who they wound around a mountain.
Asuras didn’t want the snake’s tail since they thought it was inauspicious, so Devtas took it. The Kashyapa, Deva, and Asura sons started churning the milky ocean after fine-tuning every aspect.
Even if Devtas and Asuras’ hands were strong, the mountain lacked strength in the ocean and sank. Then Vishnu (in his Kurma Avatar) jumped into the water. He made Mandara Mountain an island 800,000 miles long. Vishnu sensed scratching on the tortoise’s back instead of weight. Devtas and Asuras were revived and resumed churning. Vasuki’s smoke and fire weakened the Asuras.
- The first product to emerge was halahal after years of churning (poison). Its venom threatened the world. It’s the universe’s most toxic poison. Devas and Asuras collapsed. Vishnu said only Shiva could stomach the poison.
- Devas and Asuras sought Shiva’s help on Mount Kailash. Shiva drank the poison. Devi Parvati held Shiva’s neck poison while sipping halahal. So, she was called Vishakantha, which means “one who managed to hold poison in his throat.” The poison stained Lord Shiva’s neck blue, hence he was dubbed Nilakantha.
- Shiva cleaved the mountain with his Trishul to quench his poison-induced hunger. When Shiva drank poison, some droplets dripped on his fingers, which venomous animals ate.
- Devtas and Asuras started churning when the universe was safe and all the halahal was drunk. Then Kamdhenu or Surabhi emerged after churning. The Surabhi cow generated all the yogurt, milk, and ghee needed for Vedic rites.
- Uccaihsrava arrived. Seven-headed flying horse. Indra granted Bali Maharaja’s request for the horse.
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- Eight male and eight female elephants appeared. Male was led by Airavata, female by Abhramu. Indra rode Airavata.
- Kaustubha-Mani and Padmaraga-mani were the world’s most precious jewels. Devas and Asuras both gave Lord Vishnu the Kaustubha.
- Then came the magnificent Parijat flower, which never wilts. Devas brought it to Indraloka.
- After that, under the direction of Rambha, Menaka, and Punyasthala, the Apsaras arrived. They wore jewelry and lockets with seductive attire. Apsaras picked Devas as a partner.
- Then the Goddess of Fortune, Lakshmi, materialized and took Vishnu as her eternal husband.
- After Laxmi, the Asuras claimed the goddess Varuni or Sura. Varuni or Sura created alcohol.
Different sources say these came from Ksheera Sagar:
- A demon’s strong bow symbolizes his aggression.
- Chandra, Shiva’s moon Shankha, Vishnu’s conch.
- Varun took an umbrella.
Lord Indra gives Goddess Aditi earrings (sloth)
Years passed, but no Amrit appeared. They became tired and impatient. Then a strong man with a jug of Amrita appeared. Dhanvantari was an Avatar of Vishnu and the God of Ayurveda.
Asuras seized Dhanvantari’s jug as he arrived. Again, Asuras and Devas fought over Amrit. When they struggled, four drops of Amrit fell in Allahabad or Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. These places have Kumbh Mela every 12 years.
Continued struggle To end it, Vishnu took the appearance of the lovely damsel Mohini and informed the Asuras she would divide the Amrit fairly among the gods and demons. The Asuras were so enchanted by Mohini that they were duped. Only the Devas could receive the Amrit she was delivering.
Rahu took the shape of a Deva and sat among them. His luminosity was unlike the Devas’. Surya and Chandra observed and told Vishnu in Mohini. Mohini severed his head with Sudarshana Chakra. But Rahu took Amrit. He survived. His head, Rahu, and body, Ketu, later become planets.
At its conclusion, there was yet another conflict between the Devas and the Asuras. This time, immortal Devas beat Asuras.
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