Samudra manthan
The ocean of milk ( Sanskrit: क्षीराब्धि, ksirabdhi ) is a primordial sea of Hindu mythology. Then there is the middle level of the cosmos of concentrically arranged continents, separated by vast oceans of different liquids. The innermost ocean contains salt water, the outermost is the ocean of milk.
Linked to this is the popular Hindu creation myth of "the churning of the milk ocean ", which is found in many ancient writings and in different versions, in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as in some Puranas. It provides the basis and explanation for countless other myths. In many cases it has been modified, amended or reproduced only in excerpts. Since he is always embedded in a much larger number of partial episodes comprehensive history, particularly the introductions to the various versions differ considerably. In any case, however, Vishnu is the central deity and again the savior. From it reports the tradition that he is resting in the ocean of milk during a night world, the time between two creations on the serpent Shesha in the cosmic sleep. On the costs incurred from his navel lotus flower sits the four -headed Brahma, the new creation brings forth in his behalf.
Theme of the story of the " churning of the milk ocean " is the search for the immortality potion, Amrita, the gods as well as demons desire that lies beyond the reach of all but hidden in the ocean of milk. Only the common whorls of Urwassers that a thousand gods to have lasted years, brings up the coveted elixir after many obstacles.
Myth
Gods and demons fought constantly with each other and many of them came in the fighting around. So they asked Vishnu for help, and this suggested the gods formed an alliance with the demons before in order to obtain Amrita, the drink of immortality. To the mountain Mandara ( mentioned in other versions Meru ) they overcame the serpent Vasuki as rope and made it the whorl. With the consent of Ocean and Vasuki, the stirring began. The gods pulled the tail, the demons head. For a long time no apparent success, the mountain even threatened to sink into the ocean. Since Vishnu took the form of a giant turtle ( Kurma ) and crawled under the mountain to slowly lift him on his back out of the water and support.
With the whisk of rock and snake allies stirred the water, until this finally as white as milk was. Suddenly a terrible, rising out of the water poison threatened to destroy all. But Shiva rushed to help, he drank the poison Halahala out to the last drop. Since then, " nil " his neck, i.e., blue, and therefore it is also called Nilakanta, "the one with the blue neck ". The whorls could go on and one after another emerged from the milky ocean various treasures.
First came Chandra, the moon, to light, the forehead of Shiva adorns now. Uchchaishrava, the white horse, got the demon king, however, soon had to cede it to Indra. The jewel Kaushtuba now bears Vishnu and the Wunschkuh Kamadhenu was owned by the Rishis. Kalpavrksha, the wishing tree, Indra planted in his garden. Even the goddess Lakshmi rose radiantly beautiful on a lotus flower from the ocean. Their appearance sparked enthusiasm among all those present, and the four cardinal elephant blessing poured from golden pitchers of water over them. Lakshmi Vishnu himself chose to her husband. Again, the whorls went on. Then Varuni, the goddess of wine, which kept the demons for himself appeared.
Finally out of the water emerges the figure of a dark young man, richly adorned with jewels and flowers with a chain around his neck. It was Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods and source of all healing arts. In his hand he held, after which all were longing: a large jug with Amrita, the drink of immortality. Had the gods and demons worked until now, now began again dispute. Despite the agreement to share all that the demons wanted the precious drink greedily tearing itself. Since Vishnu came up, but this time in the form of a begehrendswerten young woman, Mohini. Friendly smiling volunteered the Beautiful, distribute Amrita at all. By a trick, however, she gave only the gods the elixir, the inattentive in their infatuation demons, however, were left empty. Only one of them, Rahu, had suspicious mixed among the gods to get even a drop. But the sun and moon betrayed him and Vishnu / Mohini banged his throwing disc quickly Rahu head off, even before the Amrita, which he had just swallowed, was able to reach the body. Only his head was so immortal, the body fell lifeless to the ground. Since Rahu wants revenge on the sun and moon by repeatedly tried to swallow it. On Earth, this is patently as solar or lunar eclipse. The strengthened by the Amrita gods but regained their place in heaven.
The text sources report different, what items out of the water appeared and in what order. The number varies between nine and fourteen. Often still Airavata addition to the stated occur, the elephant, who is now considered a companion animal of Indra, Parijata, a heavenly tree which perfumes the whole world with its blossoms, and the Apsaras, celestial dancers. Occasionally mention the writings Vijaya, a medicinal plant that helps against any poisoning, an umbrella for Varuna, another horse that can claim to be the sun, earrings for the goddess Aditi and worshiped as divine Tulsi plant.
Importance
Many mythological ideas of Hinduism are based on the popular story of the " churning of the milk ocean ": She explains not only important attributes of many representations of gods, such as Vishnu's breast jewel, the moon on Shiva's forehead, the elephant of Indra and the presentation of Lakshmi with the four elephants. The story also includes the tradition of the second avatar of Vishnu ( Kurma, the tortoise ), which saves the world from total destruction. Also found Nilakanta, a popular form of Shiva as a helper, their starting point.
One of the various myths of origin for the largest bathing festival in the world, the Kumbh Mela, whose emergence also justified with an incident in this myth: The gods and demons to the jar ( kumbha ) with the Amrita quarreled, they shed four precious drops. Where they fell to the earth emerged unscathed effective places where still held festivals.
The risen from the ocean of milk Dhanvantari, according to the Puranas, in turn, a form of Vishnu, is considered the source of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian art of healing.
As in other stories of the Indian tradition makes the rich symbolism of the imagery of myth to countless explanations, philosophical and psychological as well as esoteric. Often it serves therefore as a model to teach spiritual lessons.