RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN --CHAPTER 45, THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN

                                                   RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 45

                                                              THE CHURNING OF THE OCEAN

When Visvamitra ended the narration, there was deep silence. In awestruck silence, Rama spoke, “Reverend Master! The descent of Ganga and the digging of the ocean by the sons of Sagara are quite strange!”

The audience took leave of the master to take rest. The princes lay awake. They were thinking over the marvellous recital. The next day dawned. They rose and went through the morning observances. Then they approached Visvamitra and said, “Holy one! The night passed away all too soon. A boat designed for an ascetic like you awaits you. Shall we cross this stream?”

“So be it” replied Visvamitra. And soon they were on the other side of the stream. They rested there for a while. From where they sat the towers of the famous visala rose into view. Soon they resumed their journey. They were on the way toward the capital. Rama asked the master about the city. “May I request to know which royal race rules the race here at present?”

Visvamitra started to tell the past history of Visala. “In the last Krita Yuga the sons of Diti were very powerful. While the sons of Aditi were mighty and good. “How shall we escape the aging and the horrors of death?” so they thought the Devas and the Asuras. At last, they hit upon a plan. They resolved to churn the Milky Ocean. It was to have the Ambrosia that would spring from there. That would ensure them immortality. Well, they set to work. The Milky Ocean was the churning pot. The Mount Mandara was the churn. Vasuki was the king of serpents. It was the rope. And they churned continuously for thousands of years. Then the rope, Vasuki vomited deadly poison.

First rose the fiery venom Halahala. It began to consume the worlds and everything therein. It consumed men and gods, birds and beasts. The Lords of Light sought the presence of Mahadeva. In His home of Ice and Snow, they prayed Him. “Lord of Beings! Rudra of terrible energy! Giver of all Good! We take our refuge in You. And we seek the shadow of Your feet. Save us, O Lord! Save us from the cruel Fate.”

And there came the Lord Vishnu. His broad shoulders were graced with the Conch and Disc. He spoke to the Wielder of the Trident. “These gods here churned the Milky Ocean. And they have come here to offer you the first fruits of their labor.” He smiled charmingly at Mahadeva. “For you are the first-born among them. and it behoves you to accept this Halahala. Take this as your portion and save the gods from destruction.”

He disappeared then and there. And the Mahadeva was moved by the fear of the gods. He came to the Ocean of Milk and swallowed the dread Halahala. He drank it even as though it were the sweet Ambrosia. After that, he returned to his mountain home. The gods resumed their arduous work.

But a fresh misfortune was in store for them. The Mount Mandara, their churn, sank from view. It sank deep into the regions of Patala. Once again the gods raised their supplication to the Lord Vishnu. “All creation lives and moves in You. Lead us out of this mishap. And find a way to keep the mountain firm, while we churn the Ocean.”

And Hari went into the deep waters as a mighty Tortoise. And he bore the mountain on his back. And his extended hands grasped it at the top. Thus he studied the whirling mass. It was a wonderful sight. He stood among the gods and churned the Ocean.

A thousand years passed. And there arose Dhanvantari, the God of Health. He appeared with staff and water-pot. Next, the lovely Apsarasas came. They were sixty thousand in number. Their attendants were past count. They were called Apsarasas since the Charming Ones formed the essence that sprang from the churning. The essence is Rasa ad the waters is apas. The gods would have none of them. the Asuras too did not want them. So they became common women.

Next came forth Varuni. She was the daughter of Varuna. Varuna was the Lord of Waters. And Varuni looked around in the hope that someone would take her as a wife. But the sons of Diti turned away from her in pride. The gods took her to themselves. Hence the name ‘Asuras’. That the sons of Diti went by(those that did not accept Sura or Varuni). While the gods rejoiced in the appellation of Suras(the Lords of Sura).

Next came Uchchaisravas, the Prince of horses. Then came Kaustubha, the Gem of divine lustre. At last came Amrita, the Waters of Immortality.

The celestials fought for it fiercely. There followed a terrible battle between the sons of Aditi and the Asuras and the Rakshasas. All beings were afraid of the battle. Fearful was the carnage among the Asuras. And they were about to be destroyed. When the ungodly sons of Diti were laid low, Lord Vishnu appeared. He appeared among the fighters as a charming siren (a dream of beauty). He thus lured away the hearts of the unrighteous ones. It was an illusion cast by the Master of Illusions. And he bore away the hard-won Amrita. And they who tried to bar his way fell. They were the unfortunate Asuras. He was the ruler of the Universe, the Supreme One. Thus the impious brood of Diti were defeated by the angels. The angels of the Peace were the servants of the Lord. And Indra, their king, regained his empire over the worlds. He was the ruler of gods and mortals, saints and sages and ruled wisely and well.