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Library:Churning of the Ocean using Vasuki on Akupara’s back.
Sūta said:
Then, Mandara, the best of mountains, was adorned with peaks resembling the tops of clouds and was covered with a network of creepers.
The place was resonant with the sounds of various birds and teemed with creatures having various fangs. It was attended by Kinnaras, Apsaras, and even Devas.
It is elevated by eleven thousand yojanas and equally established below the earth in thousands.
At that time, all the groups of gods were unable to lift him. They approached Vishnu, who was seated, and Brahma, and said this.
You both should make the supreme decision here. Let efforts be made to lift Mandara for our benefit.
Thus, Viṣṇu, along with Brahmā, spoke to Bhārgava. Then Ananta, having risen, was urged by Brahmā and was also instructed by Nārāyaṇa in that powerful act.
Then the mighty Ananta forcefully lifted the king of mountains, along with the sacrifice and those performing it, O Brahman.
Then, along with him, the gods approached the ocean and said, "We shall churn the ocean for nectar."
The lord of the waters then said, "Let my share also be included; I have borne the immense pressure from the churning of Mount Mandara."
The gods and demons addressed Akūpāra, the king of turtles, saying that he is worthy of becoming the support for the mountain.
Indra, using a machine, pressed down the top of that mountain, which was placed on the back of the tortoise after saying thus.
The gods, desiring nectar, made Mandara the churning stick and Vāsuki the rope, and began to churn the ocean, the treasure of waters, together with the demons and giants, O Brahman.
At one end, embraced by the serpent king, the great demons and gods all stood together at the tail.
The endless Lord, from whom Narayana originates, raised the serpent's head and repeatedly threw it down.
Then, as the gods pulled Vāsuki, the serpent, winds filled with smoke and flames repeatedly emerged from its mouth.
The clouds, formed from smoke and accompanied by lightning, poured rain upon the groups of gods who were exhausted by fatigue and heat.
From the peak of the mountain, showers of flowers fell, scattering garlands all around on the hosts of gods and demons.
Here, a great sound arose, resembling the roar of mighty clouds, as the ocean was churned by the Mandara mountain with the help of gods and demons.
There, hundreds of various aquatic creatures were crushed by the great mountain and met their end in the salt water.
The mountain caused the destruction of various beings of Varuna residing in the netherworld.
As the mountain was being whirled, the great trees, accompanied by birds, fell from the mountain peaks, rubbing against each other.
The fire generated from their friction, with its blazing flames, constantly enveloped the Mandara mountain, resembling a dark cloud with flashes of lightning.
He burned the elephants and lions that had emerged, along with all the various lifeless creatures.
Indra, the chief of the gods, put out the fire that was burning everywhere with rainwater.
Then, various kinds of exudations from great trees and many herbal juices flowed into the ocean.
The gods attained immortality by the milk of the essences of the nectar's potency and from the flow of gold.
Then, from that ocean, water transformed into milk. It was mixed with the finest essences, and from that milk, ghee was produced.
Then the gods, seated before Brahma, the boon-giver, expressed their fatigue, saying, "O Brahma, we are greatly exhausted, and the nectar has not yet emerged."
Without Narayana, the god, the demons, and the best of serpents, this long-initiated churning of the ocean would not have been possible.
Then Brahma spoke to Lord Narayana, requesting him to organize the strength of the beings, acknowledging Vishnu as the ultimate refuge.
Vishnu spoke:
I grant strength to everyone involved in this task. Let the pot be stirred by everyone, and let the Mandara mountain be churned.
Sūta said:
Upon hearing the words of Nārāyaṇa, the powerful beings of the great ocean, along with the water, once more caused great agitation.
Then, the moon, with its hundred-thousand rays, rose brightly and coolly from the ocean, clear and luminous.
Afterwards, prosperity emerged from the ghee, residing in whiteness. The goddess Surā and a white horse were also born.
The divine Kaustubha gem, originating from nectar, shines with rays and is placed on the glorious chest of Narayana.
Prosperity, the gods, Soma, and the swift horse went to the path of the sun, where they took refuge.
Then the god Dhanvantari appeared, holding a white pot containing the nectar of immortality.
Upon witnessing this astonishing event, the demons rose up. In their quest for nectar, a loud clamor of 'This is mine!' echoed among them.
Then Lord Narayana, taking on the guise of an enchanting woman, wonderfully transformed, approached the demons.
Then, all the foolish-minded demons and Daityas, whose minds were set on it, gave that nectar to the woman.
