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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 Koustubha, 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
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