Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam BALAKANDAM Sarga 47 The quest for nectar: The scions of Raghu addressed the holy sage, “Breathtaking is the account of how the blissful Ganga descends from the firmament, how she flows through the land and fills the sea. Musing upon your exceptional recitation the night has fled in a trice, that which was most worthy of hearing has been listened to, you have charmed us with your words of wisdom on this ancient narrative.” The next day after the conclusion of morning rituals Sri Rama addressed the sage, “Holy Sir, let us go over to the bank of the river, Risis on coming to know of your arrival have sent a boat to ferry us.” In response to Sri Rama’s submission, Viswamitra, the hosts of seers, together with the two scions of Raghu hastily proceeded to the barge and reached the opposite bank of the river, conveyed their salutations to the saints who had come to receive the distinguished visitors. The best of the holy sages together with the princes and the other sages hurried to the divine and enchanting city Visala. To satisfy the inquisitiveness of Sri Rama, sage Viswamitra proceeded to narrate the glory of Visala, “The extraordinary tale of Indra linking to the foundation of Visala relates to the first or Golden Age, before the Krita yuga in the famous Satya yuga. Diti and Aditi were the wives of lofty souled Kasyapa and mothers respectively of Titans and Gods. The very mighty the sons of Diti and Aditi were powerful and exceptionally pious. A thought preoccupied these high souled beings, “How can we be eternal, untouched from old age and sheltered against woe.” The counsel of the wise was to churn the milky sea and to quaff the life bestowing immortalizing drink obtained from it. This planned they seized the serpent king Vasuki for their churning string and mount Mandara the churning rod, and the Gods and the demons possessed of infinite strength started churning the ocean with all their heart and soul. After a thousand years of churning the head of the serpent that was being used as a churning string began to bite the rocks and shed deadly venom (Halahalas). Bursting like a mighty flame a pestilential poison began to consume the whole universe. The Gods thereupon prevailed upon Rudra through Sri Vishnu to save/protect them. The mighty lord Siva for his part swallowed the deadly poison as though it was nectar and departed to his realm. The host of Gods and demons with determination and resolve kept churning, but mount Mandara that served as their churning rod sank into the subterranean (Patala). The Gods including the Gandharvas extolled the destroyer of demon Madhu (Vishnu) to lift up the mountain Mandara from the depths of Patala. Lord Vishnu assumed the incarnation of Divine Tortoise, lay at the bottom of the ocean and supported the mountain on his back. Holding the top of the mountain with one hand Lord Sri Hari took his position in the midst of Gods and ranged among the immortals joined in the churning of the sea. After close to a thousand years of churning; from the ocean arose a gentle sage Dhanvantari, (the physician of the Gods) with a staff and can (Kamandalu). From the cream produced as a result of churning the water, there emerged from the foam multitudes (sixty million) of damsels of captivating face and gorgeous frame. Born of foam and water these excellent young women were aptly called Apsaras (Ap meaning water rasa meaning cream). No God or Titan wooed them, refused to be accepted as wife by all they gave their love in common to all the Gods. Next there emerged from the sea, the deity presiding over spirituous liquor Varuni, a daughter of Varuna, seeking a husband. The demons (sons of Diti), did not marry Varuni but the gods (the sons of Aditi) accepted her as she was irreproachable; the gods felt thrilled due to their acceptance of Varuni. It is for that reason the sons of Diti came to be known as Asuras (those who do not take wine), and Aditi’s sons came to be known as Suras (those who take wine). Next from the foamy sea was released Uchaisrava the generous steed, Kaustuba the most valuable and the best of gems, and nectar. Over the nectar there arose a fratricidal war in which the heroic sons of Aditi fought with the sons of Diti, there ensued a colossal destruction of gods and demons, the demons got united with the ogres. The result was a fatal conflict, when the whole host of gods and demons approached destruction, Lord Vishnu in the form of a charming woman carried away the nectar and those who opposed Lord Vishnu in this conflict were eliminated in the encounter by HIM. In this terrible conflict the heroic sons of Aditi completely destroyed the sons of Diti and attained sovereignty. Indra felt delighted and ruled the three worlds.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 02:52:55 +0000
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