Namasthe- Samudra mathanam or churning of the ocean

[Guest guest]

Dear all, 

 

 

It is interesting to note how in each step of Samudra mathana or churning of the milky ocean, Bhagavaan helped Devaas and Asuraas directly or indirectly. It becomes more interesting when we extrapolate this to the presence of the strong supportive hands of God behind every single action of ours.

1. Let us start from the beginning of the story where Devaas approach Bhagavaan along with Brahma Devan to pray to protect them from the curse of Durvasas Muni. They all became old and weak due to Durvasas muni's curse and Asuraas could easily grab the power from Devaas and throw them out. They are now weak, old and homeless. Bhagavaan appeared to Brahma and told that the only solution for their suffering is to churn the milky ocean and consume the Amritham that comes out of that. So here Bhagavaan gave the initial advise to churn the ocean or Samudramathanam. Bhgavaan reminds us about the effort we have to take to get where we want spiritually (or true even materially).

2. Then He explained to Devaas through Brahma how to actually do the churning. He is like a Guru showing the right path and right actions. He advised them to get the help of gigantic and strong Asuras in their attempt to get Amrutham. He was sure that Asuras would definitely help Devas to feed their greed.

3. After explaining the whole plan of action, he had to help them bring the Mandara mountain because it was so heavy and they dropped it on their way to the milky ocean. The mountain was placed in the appropriate place.

4. Later when they started churning, he had to take the Koormaavathaaram or the form of Tortoise to prevent it from sinking down all the way to the seabed.

5. Because of the speed of the churning, Mandara mountain started going up and the churning became inefficient. Then Bhagavaan used His power to press it down to keep it in the exact position.

6. He transferred limitless energy to both Devaas and Asuraas so that they could churn hard, efficient and continuously for a long long time. Devaas very much needed the energy even to stand up because the curse had made them very old and weak!

7. The divine snake Vasuki's job was not an easy one. He was wound around the Mandara mountain and Devaas and Asuraas were pulling it's head and tail in opposite directions to churn the milky ocean. He could not take the pain and Bhgavaan entered inside Vaasuki as sleep and Vasuki did not feel anything after that because he was fast asleep . They used the snake-in-deep-sleep just like a thick rope!

8. Even after churning for a long time, nothing came out of the ocean and both Devaas and Asuraas were dejected and disappointed. Then Bhahgavaan himself started churning and the churning of milky ocean by Bhagavaan gave immense enthusiasm and energy to everybody.

9. Finally Bhagavaan Himself came as Dhanwanthara murthy with Amruthakumbham or the pot containing Amrutham.

10. Then he took the form of the most beautiful maiden Mohini, divided the Amritham and made sure that only those who deserved got it.

We saw God's hands in every step of this Samudramathana or churning of the ocean. Vyaasa Bhgavaan conveys through the description of this story : " God is always within us, with us, around us and everywhere ordering, guiding and directing. " .

Na tatra suryo bhati na chandra-tarakam nema vidyuto bhanti kuto’yam agnih.

Tameva bhantam anubhati sarvam tasya bhasa sarvamidam vibhati

The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightnings shine and much less this fire. When He shines, everything shines after Him; by His light, all these shine.

 

Regards an dprayers

Savitri