*SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 5-12.*
In the fight with the Asuras, the Devas lost their lives. They fell down
and did not rise up again. By the curse of Durvasas, Indra and the three
Lokas became shorn of Sri or Lakshmi (wife of Vishnu in Vaikuntha:
Preservative energy). Consequently there were no performances such as
Yajna. (Durvasas once saw Indra on the elephant Airavata. He gave him
the garland of his own neck. Indra proud of his own Sri or wealth,
placed the garland on the head of the elephant. The elephant threw it
down and tore it to pieces with his feet. Durvasas got angry and cursed
Indra that he and his Triloki were to lose Sri). Indra did not know what
to do and the Devas all went over to the seat of Brahma on the top of
Meru. Brahma, saw the Lokapalas lifeless and lustreless, as it were, the
Lokas beset with evils and the Asuras full of life and energy. He
meditated on Parama Purasha with concentrated mind and then addressed
the Devas thus.
"Purusha has resort to Rajas, Satva and Tamas respectively for Creation,
Preservation and Dissolution. This is just the time for Preservation.
For the good of all beings, He shall now be possessed of Satva. So let
us take the shelter of the guide of the universe. He shall now befriend
the Devas and do what is best for us."
The Devas with Brahma then went to Ajita. Brahma prayed to Him as the
Preservative aspect of Virat Purusha. Vishnu appeared before the Devas
and addressed them thus: --
"The Asuras favored by Sukra are now victorious. Make peace with them so
long as you are not strong yourselves. Lose no time in churning the Milk
Ocean for Amrita in concert with the Asuras. By drinking Amrita even
dead persons become immortal. Throw all creepers and herbs into that
ocean. Make Mandara mountain the churning rod and make Vasuki the rope.
Then with my help, churn the ocean with all diligence. The Asuras shall
have all the trouble to themselves, while you shall reap the fruits. If
the Asuras ask for any concession, you had better approve of that. Do
not be afraid of any poison that may arise. Have neither greed nor anger
nor desire in respect of the things that will arise."
So saying Vishnu disappeared. The Devas went to the Asura King Bali and
Indra explained to him what Vishnu had said about the churning. The
Asuras approved of the plan and made friends with the Devas. They then
went together and uprooted the golden mountain Mandara and carried it
towards the ocean. After going a long way, they felt fatigued and
dropped the mountain. Several Devas and Asuras were crushed by its fall.
Vishnu appeared on Garuda and revived them all. He then easily placed
the mountain on the back of Garuda and went towards the ocean, followed
by the Devas and Asuras.
The Serpent King Vasuki was assured of a share in Amrita and he
consented to become the rope. The Mountain was then surrounded by
Vasuki. Vishnu followed by the Devas held the mouth of the serpent. But
the Asuras said: -- "We have learned the Vedas, we know the Sastras, it
is improper for us to hold the tail of a serpent. We will not do that.
It is inauspicious." Vishnu smiled. He and the Devas gave up the mouth
end and held the tail.
The churning then commenced. The Mountain was however heavy and it sank
down to the bottom of the ocean. The Devas and Asuras became mournful.
Vishnu then assumed the form of a Tortoise, went into the water and
raised the Mountain. He then remained like a Dvipa one lakhsa Yojanas in
expanse with the mountain on his back. He infused his influence all
round. Energised by Him, the Devas and Asuras vigorously carried on the
churning. At last fire and smoke came out from the thousand mouths of
Vasuki. This overpowered the Asuras and the Devas -- but the Devas were
refreshed by clouds, rains, and winds sent by Vishnu.
After a good deal of churning, poison came out first. It spread out on
all sides and the Prajapatis and their progeny in terror took the
shelter of Siva. Siva felt compassion for them and with the approval of
Durga, he drank up the whole of the poison. It made his throat blue.
The Churning recommenced. Out came Surabhi (the fabulous cow of plenty).
The Vedic Rishis took that Cow for the necessaries of Yajna. Then came
the horse Uchchaih-Sravas. Bali desired to have it. But Indra as
directed by Vishnu made no desire. Then came the elephant Airavata, then
the 8 space elephants and their 8 female partners.
Next arose Kaustubha, the celebrated lotus-colored gem. Vishnu wished to
have it as an ornament for His breast. Next came Parijata, then the
Apsaras.
Illumining all sides with her lustre arose Lakshmi. All paid homage to
her. She looked on all sides, but found none, whom she could accept. If
there was an ascetic he could not control his anger. If there was a
Jnani (sophist) he could not get over attachments. There might be a
Mahatma, but he had not conquered his passion of love. How could he be
called Isvara, who depended on others, (and no one but Isvara could
claim Lakshmi). If there was Dharma any where, there was not
friendliness for all beings. If there was sacrifice, it was not for
liberation. There was power but it could not resist the flow of time. If
there was one void of likes and dislikes, he did not take a companion.
If there was any one long lived, he had neither good nature (_Sila_) nor
auspiciousness (_Mangala._) If one had good nature and auspiciousness,
he was not long lived. If one had all the Virtues he was out of his
element with her. If he was all that she wanted he did not want her.
Considering everything, Lakshmi at last accepted Vishnu for her husband.
He placed her on His breast. She favored the Devas, so they became
possessed of all the virtues. She showed indifference to the Asuras, so
they lost their might, energy and modesty and became greedy.
Then arose a lotus eyed girl called Varuni (Spirituous liquor.) The
Asuras accepted her.
Then arose Dhanvantari, part of a part of Vishnu, with a pot of Amrita
in hand. Seeing the pot of Amrita, the greedy Asuras took that by force.
They quarrelled with each other, some saying "First myself," "First
myself," others saying "Not you" "Not you," whilst the weaker amongst
them finding that they were going to be deprived, cried out in jealousy
"The Devas are also entitled to an equal share. They have also toiled
with us."
At this time Vishnu became a most beautiful young woman. She filled the
hearts of the Asura Chiefs with passion. They asked the tempting girl to
settle their differences and to make a proper distribution of Amrita
amongst them. "But how can you trust a woman," said the girl. But the
Asuras had fallen in love with her, so they made over the Amrita pot to
her without further thought. She consented to distribute Amrita on the
condition that the Asuras should put up with whatever she did, right or
wrong. The Asuras consented. She then made the Devas and Asuras sit in
two separate rows. She distributed the whole of the Amrita amongst the
Devas. Only one Asura, named Rahu, sat with the Devas. The Sun and the
Moon pointed him out to the girl Vishnu. Vishnu then and there severed
the head from the body of the Asura, but as the head had touched Amrita,
it became immortal. Brahma made it a planet. Rahu still pursues the Sun
and Moon at eclipses out of enmity.
When the Amrita was wholly spent, Vishnu assumed His own form and in the
presence of all left the place on the back of Garuda.
The Asuras found they had been deceived and they became very angry. They
could not bear the success of their enemies but they instantly engaged
in fight with them. The fight was personal between the chiefs of both
sides. (It is interesting to note the antagonistic names, as they give
the correspondences between the Deva and Asura chiefs.) Indra fought
with Bali, Kartikeya with Taraka, Varuna with Heti, Mitra with Praheti,
Yama with Kalanabha, Visvakarma with Maya, Tvastri with Sambara, Savitri
with Virochana, Aparajita with Namuchi. The Asvini Kumaras with
Vrishaparvan, Surya (Sun) with the hundred sons of Bali, Vana and
others, Chandra (Moon) with Rahu, Vayu with Puloman, Bhadra Kali with
Sumbha and Nishumbha, Vrishakapi with Jambha, Vibhavasu with Mahisha,
the sons of Brahma with Ilvala and Vatapi, Brihaspati with Sukra, Sani
with Naraka, the Maruts with the Nivatakavachas, the Vasus with the
Kaleyas, the Visvadevas with the Poulamas and the Rudras with the
Krodhavasas. (Those who want to make a deep study will do well to note
these correspondences as they will serve to explain points which I have
not touched upon as beyond the scope of the present work).
The Asuras used all the weapons of tempting Maya and conquered the
Devas, Vishnu then came to their rescue and they became victorious (The
details of the fight might be interesting from an occult point of view,
for which the reader must refer to the original.)
Siva heard that Vishnu had assumed an enchanting female form. To satisfy
his curiosity he went to Him with Bhavani. Vishnu assumed that form
again to satisfy Siva. The Astral Lord became passionate and ran after
that female form and embraced her. The female Vishnu got out of the
embrace and re-assumed His own form. Siva was then restored to himself.