Bala Kanda Sarga-45

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Bala Kanda Sarga-45

 

Om Asmadgurubhyo Namaha

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

The next day early morning Ramachandra went to sage Vishvamithra and said, "Last

night I heard what I wanted to learn. The entire night passed in a few seconds.

Throughout the night we have been recollecting the entire episode. Now we get a

chance to cross "Thripathaga" (River Ganga). I also came to know that by the

news of your arrival, all sages have arranged for ships for us to cross Ganga

River. Now we can cross the river." After hearing Rama's words, Sage

Vishvamithra along with the other sages, Rama and Lakshmana reached the shores

of Ganga River. Upon crossing River Ganga, they stayed in a camp and

Vishvamithra along with Ramachandra and Lakshmana reached a town named Visala.

Rama enquired Vishvamithra, about the name of the king who is ruling Visala.

Vishvamithra started narrating the history of Visala who created that broad city

and also a story connected to Indra.

 

In Kruthayuga the sons of Dhithi were brave, courageous and generous. They had a

rare wish for no death, to stay young and no diseases. They decided to churn the

milky ocean and get nectar from it. Once they consume the nectar they will live

eternally and fit. To churn the ocean they decided to use Mandhara Mountain for

churning-stick and serpent Vasuki for rope. After churning the ocean for 1000

years, an extremely toxic poison (halahalam) came out of it. Because of this

Devathas, asuras and human-beings started dying which worried Devathas. They

prayed to lord Siva to come to their rescue. At that point in time Lord Vishnu

with his sanku (conch) and charka (discus) appeared in front of Devathas and

Rudra who possess Trisula, and said "Rudra, you are the head of Devathas and

whatever comes out in the beginning should be offered to you. For that reason

you should consume this halahala as an offering". Thus spoken, Lord Vishnu

disappeared. Rudra, seeing the fear of Devathas, drank the poison as if it was

amrutham (nectar). By his action Rudra removed the fear of Devathas. Now that

the fear of the poison is gone, Devathas and asuras started churning the milky

ocean again, and Mandhara Mountain started sinking to the bottom. Then Devathas

prayed to Lord Madhusudhana. "Oh! God, you are our only savior, and you are the

only one who is capable of protecting us. Please help us to keep the mountain

afloat. Upon hearing the Devathas' prayers, Srimannarayana came as Kurma

Avathara (tortoise incarnation) and lifted the mountain on his back by resting

at the bottom of the ocean and by holding the mountain edges with His hands

controlled the movements of the mountain. Standing along with the Devathas He

also helped them to churn the ocean. Like that, in various forms he helped in

churning the milky ocean. After churning for over 1000 years, He brought out the

Sastras (knowledge) and medicine to cure human diseases, and by consuming this

medicine the Devathas didn't feel tired after churning so long. Later on apsaras

came out of the ocean. They were called apsaras because they came out of water

(AP=water, rasa pure). They were six crores in number, dazzling in beauty with

astounding radiance. With them, came along countless number of sevakas

(assistants). Devathas, Asuras or human beings can't wed them and they had to

remain single. After that, Varuna's daughter Vaaruni came out of the Ocean. She

is the principal one for all the Devathas. Vaaruni asked sons of Dithi, to

accept her. They didn't accept her proposal, but Adhithi's sons accepted her.

Because, they didn't accept sura (Vaaruni), Dhithi's sons called asura's and

Adhithi's sons called suras. Vaaruni was not to be blamed for this. This was

because of noxious/liqueur (madyam) named Sura. Devathas accepted Vaaruni as she

was the daughter of Varuna. Artificial excitement giving liqueur named Sura was

to be blamed for this though Devathas didn't agree to this explanation. Because

they accepted Vaaruni, they were happy. After continuous churning, honorable

horse named Ucchaisravam and a diamond Kausthubham came out of the ocean. Indra

received the horse and Sri Maha Vishnu accepted the diamond. Later Nectar

(amrutham) appeared and a major battle started between suras and asuras for the

nectar. Adhithi's sons killed Dhithi's sons. Asuras and Rakshasas on one side

and Devas on the other side joined the battle. That massive battle continued

while all three lokas watched the disaster. While this clash is going on, Sri

Maha Vishnu took the form of Mohini to put an end to the war. Powerful Adhithi's

sons, Devas after consuming nectar became powerful and defeated Dhithi's sons.

This massive battle between suras and asuras continued. Finally after defeating

Dhithi's sons, Indra ruled all three worlds.

 

(To cont)

Jai Srimannarayana

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