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DEVAS AND ASURAS CASTING HERBS INTO THE OCEAN OF MILK

Brihaspati was very clever. He met the demons, managed cleverly to bring about friendship between them and the gods and arranged to make them churn the milky sea. The demons agreed in the hope of getting ambrosia and wealth. Thus having gained the consent of the Asuras of their help the Devas began the offerings and worship of the ocean of milk. The Devas and Asuras cast all kinds of plants and herbs into ocean of milk.

CHURNING OF THE OCEAN BY THE DEVAS AND ASURAS

MANDARA MOUNT SLIDING INTO THE OCEAN BED

VISHNU AS KURMA (TORTOISE) SUPPORTING THE MANDARA MOUNTAIN

The Asuras and the Devas all gathered together to accomplish the feat of getting the Mandara Mountain. They reached the plain where the majestic mount sat and after great deal of digging managed to uproot it from its spot. They then tried to carry the Mandara Mountain, but the weight of the mountain crushed them down. Many perished and some were injured. Just then Vishnu came there and with a glance revived everyone and ordered Garuda to carry Mandara to the ocean. Garuda carried on his back the mount MANDARA and leaded it to seashore and dipped it in the sea of milk. They tied Vasuki, the king of snakes, as a rope. The demons at one end and gods at the other end held Vasuki and commenced churning the sea.

The churning continued for a time without any hitch, then the mount Mandara began sliding into the ocean bed. The Devas as well as the Asuras where at loss, they could not continue the churning of the ocean without Mandara. They pleaded with Vishnu for mercy.

VISHNU AS KURMA (TORTOISE) SUPPORTING THE MANDARA MOUNTAIN

Vishnu hearing the cries once gain came to the rescue. Vishnu then took the body of a KURMA tortoise and brought to the surface the Mountain, which was at the bottom of the sea. Mandara was hoisted on the back of the tortoise and was floating. The Devas and the Asuras breathed a sigh of relief, now they could continue with the churning of the ocean. The Devas and the Asuras with the renewed zest and with the encouragement from Vishnu began the churning of ocean once again.