||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 101 – The legend of churning the milky ocean for the nectar of immortality -4

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a most attractive woman Mohini who was smeared in highly rich fragrances and adorned in various precious ornaments all over the body, attired in magnificent garments.  The moment demons witnessed the supremely gorgeous woman Mohini, they forgot their arguments on the nectar of immortality.  They immensely praised the beauty, lovely features and appearance of Mohini and enquired her whereabouts “Oh! Beautiful one, Oh! Kanchathalayadhakshi, you are churning our hearts, who are you, where did you come from and why did you come? kindly elaborate to us.  We are extremely fortunate ones, you must be sent by the Supreme Lord to distribute the nectar and take pleasure in our association.  Oh! Devi kindly chooses us as your companion.  Kindly distribute the nectar equally among us. ” The demons walked around Mohini, surprisingly watching at her beauty, touched her garments in awe, took great pleasure in the smell of the rich aromatic perfumes she has applied on her body.  Mohini who was covered in the exquisite garment expressed her shyness before them.  Mohini replied “Oh! Demons, how could you trust on me I am the one wander all around, therefore you should not invest trust upon me.”  After hearing this, the demons confirmed that she is open-minded and most eligible to distribute the nectar and requested her to distribute the nectar.  Mohini instructed them to sit in a line keeping their mouth open and eyes closed, was sincerely followed like children.  Mohini waved her hands to deities and instructed them to sit with them, she served the deities with the nectar and affectionately patted on the cheeks of demons who were seated their eyes closed. One of the demons Swarbhanu suspected that there is something wrong, he opened his eyes and found that the deities happily consuming the nectar.  Swarbhanu loudly called for the demons and cautioned them that they have cheated by Lord Vishnu, who has assumed the form of a gorgeous woman Mohini, but demons were not willing to listen, therefore Swarbhanu disguised the form of deity and seated between Lord Chandra and Surya.  Lord Vishnu did not take notice of Swarbhanu who was seated between the deities; the nectar was served to him as well.  Lord Surya loudly called out for Lord Vishnu and informed the presence of Swarbhanu among the deities.  Lord Vishnu sliced off the head of Swarbhanu who was already attained the nectar of immortality, his head portion remains unhurt and the body part became smoky.   Swarbhanu kept his enmity on Lord Surya and Lord Chandra from that day onwards, thus the solar and lunar eclipse has come into existence.  In this way, the supreme Lord Vishnu attained the nectar of immortality for the deities.”

There are numerous ways of Upasana/worship of the supreme Lord.  The milky ocean represents the human mind and intellect, which is soaked in various impurities and abnormalities, it is bound by three Gunas/Rajasik, Tamasik and Swatik.  The human intellect has no beginning or end; it is like an unfathomable milky ocean.  The Mount Mandhara represents clarity of thoughts, it helps to realize/experience the presence of the supreme soul who resides as a soul in living beings.  The serpent Vasuki represents the Kundalinishakthi that has the sign of serpent, can be elevated with the constant practice of devotion/Pranayama, Yoga, meditation, recitation of scriptures and sacred names, etc.  The deities and demons represent the constructive as well as destructive thoughts in us.  The constructive thoughts are confident and hard-working nature, without the anxiousness of criticism or expectation.  The destructive thoughts are doubtful and lethargic; it lacks disciplines, seeks constant encouragement and support from others to boost its spirit.  While churning the ocean, Mount Mandhara was tilting has to get support from the giant tortoise that represents the balanced state of mind, firm in any favorable and unfavorable situations.  Any righteous deed performed without the knowledge the ultimate purpose/unfocused would be considered as unfruitful.  Therefore devotion to supreme consciousness without the purpose of union of the supreme soul, who resides as a soul in us, would not provide the experience of eternal bliss.  The supreme soul has the nature of Sacchidhanandha/eternal bliss, can be attained with the constant practice of meditation and contemplation, it would wash off all the toxic poison /Kalakooda/ impurities/selfishness, ego, pride, jealousy and remains Sarvabhootha Hithe Ratha who takes immense joy in the welfare of others, ultimately it leads to state of Nirvana/state of immortality is the state of union with the supreme Bhramam.  Lord Mahadeva is supreme consciousness which has the nature of permanent bliss; therefore the Kalakooda poison could not influence him.  This practice of staying close to the supreme Bhramam who resides as a soul in us is known as Upasana.