Hindu Mythology: Churning the Ocean of Milk

          This is the story of how the Devas (celestial beings) and the Asuras (demons) churned the Ocean of Milk to obtain the Nectar of Immortality.
          One day, all gods gathered on Mount Meru to discuss how to obtain the nectar of immortality from the Ocean of Milk. Lord Narayan said, “Let all the Devas and Asuras come together and churn the Ocean of Milk. As a result, nectar will be obtained from its depths.” Under the guidance of Lord Narayan, the Devas attempted to dig up Mount Mandaranchal to use as the churning tool. However, the task turned out to be an impossible one. Mount Mandranchal was 55,000 miles high and 55,000 miles. When the Devas could not even budge the mountain, they prayed to Lord Narayan, “God, please tell us of a way by which we can dig up Mount Mandaranchal.” Hearing their prayers, Lord Narayan persuaded King Vasuki, the king of serpents, to dig up the mountain. King Vasuki obliged, unearthing the mighty mountain. The Devas then went to the Ocean of Milk and requested permission to churn its waters to get the Nectar of Immortality. After some thought, the Spirit of the Ocean of Milk conceided, “I grant you my permission, but only if you promise to give me a share of the nectar.” The Devas and Asuras accepted this condition and asked King Kacchapraj, the tortoise king, to support the mountain on his back. Mount Mandaranchal became the churning tool while King Vasuki became the churning rope. In this way, the Devas and the Asuras started the elaborate exercise of churning the Ocean of Milk. The Devas took the tail of the snake and the Asuras took his head. Together, they rotated the mountain and began to churn the ocean. 
          A millennium passed. When Lord Brahma saw everyone getting tired, he thought, “Except Lord Narayan, all the Devas and Asuras are exhausted. So much time has passed since we started churning the ocean, but the nectar has not yet come out.” He therefore requested Lord Vishnu, “My Lord! Please give them strength. You are their only Hope.” Lord Vishnu obliged, and the strength of the Devas and Asuras increased ten-fold. 
           Soon, huge waves rose up and out came Chandrama, the Moon Goddess, followed successively by Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth), Goddess Sura (the Creator of Alcohol), Uccahashrava (the divine 7-headed horse), and Kaustobhamani (the most valuable jewel in the world worn by Lord Vishnu), came out. One by one, they all ascended to the Heavens.
          Then came Kamdhenu, Kalpvriksh (the wish-granting tree), and Dhanavantri (the Divine Physician). Cradled in Dhanavantri’s arms sat a large pot that contained the Nectar of Immortality. Upon discovering this, the Devas and Asuras began to fight over who gets it. Engrossed in their battle, they didn’t see Garuda, the son of the Great Sage Kashyap and Mata Vinata, swoop in and carry it away.