(The churning of the ocean (samudra manthana) is a favourite story of the Puranas, but better sources are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The real reason for the churning of the ocean was actually slightly different. It was expected that the churning of the ocean would yield amrita, a life-giving drink. The gods and the demons collaborated in this venture. The churning rod was however Mount Mandara and not Mount Meru. But because Mandara had no base, the mountain began to move and the churning could not go on. Vishnu thereupon adopted the form of a turtle (kurma). Mount Mandara was placed on the back of the turtle and the churning proceeded. The first object to emerge as a result of the churning was a terrible poison. Shiva swallowed this so that no one else might be affected and thus became blue of throat.)

To return to the Varaha Purana, the juice of the soma herb emerged as a result of the ocean being churned. This soma juice was none other than Chandra and Shiva accepted the crescent moon as an adornment for his forehead. Everyone was happy. This entire event took place of the day of purnamasi.

On this day, a vrata should be observed. Before the vrata is completed, one must fast. One is however permitted to eat rice after the vrata has been completed. The observance of this vrata brings prosperity.