Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow, and Airavata, the white four-tusked elephant, both emerged as treasures from the churning of the Ocean of Milk, claimed by the gods as divine gifts of the Samudra Manthan.
Dhanvantari, physician of the gods, rose from the Samudra Manthan bearing the pot of Amrita, the nectar of immortality that the devas and asuras had labored to produce by churning the Ocean of Milk.
When the terrible Halahala poison rose from the Samudra Manthan and threatened to destroy all creation, Shiva drank it at the gods' desperate plea, and Parvati seized his throat to keep it from descending, turning his neck forever blue.
Vasuki, king of the nagas, was wrapped around Mount Mandara as the churning rope of the Samudra Manthan, pulled back and forth by the devas and asuras until the serpent's venom-laced breath sickened the demons who gripped his head.
Kurma, Vishnu's tortoise avatar, dove beneath the Ocean of Milk and braced Mount Mandara on his broad shell during the Samudra Manthan, preventing the mountain from sinking into the cosmic deep.
Lakshmi emerged from the Samudra Manthan fully formed and radiantly beautiful, seated on a lotus. She chose Vishnu as her eternal consort from among the gods and demons who desired her.
After the amrita emerged from the Samudra Manthan, Vishnu assumed the enchanting female form Mohini to beguile the asuras and distribute the nectar exclusively among the devas, securing their immortality.
The demon Rahu disguised himself as a deva and stole a sip of amrita during its distribution after the Samudra Manthan, but Vishnu's discus severed his head before the nectar passed his throat, leaving his immortal head to eternally pursue the sun and moon.
Vishnu orchestrated the Samudra Manthan, persuading the devas and asuras to churn the Ocean of Milk together, and descended as the tortoise Kurma to bear Mount Mandara on his back as the churning pivot.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more