The Ego is to be churned

This is a story of the time when Cosmos was undergoing apocalypse and new era for life was emerging. One day, Indra Dev was enjoying the dance performances by the apsaras in the Swarg Lok. He was intoxicated with the luxuries. Then, Rishi Durvasa visited him. He had brought a garland of Parijat flowers as a prasad. The sage offered the garland to Indradev. But, he tucked the garland over Airaavat‘s trunk, out of arrogance. Airaatvat was unaware of the sacraments to be performed with the Prasad, so he flung his trunk and the garland dropped on the floor. Rishi Durvasa didn’t like the etiquette towards the prasad rendered. He declared a malediction that the Swarg Lok would run deficient of Eternal Energy, without Shakti, viz. shreeheen. Soon, Mother submerged Herself into the grand depths of the Ocean of Milk, and the bounties of heavens disappeared. Resting on the couch of grand coils, Lord Vishnu didn’t find his concert.

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Indra Dev’s throne started trembling, asuras started ruling all the lokas (devlok, manavlok, asuralok). Powers of Devas diminished.

Worried, all the Devas went to Narayan for some advice to revert the curse. Lord asked them to churn the Ocean of Milk to obtain the disappeared bounties. Since, the suras (devas) were powerless, Lord asked them to ask for help from the asuras (demons) . He asked them to pay respects to Asura-Guru, Shukracharya humbly, and convey their grievances. Renouncing arrogance, the Devas did the same. They said to him that they needed help of asuras for churning the ocean of milk, for riches could be restored in the heavens. They promised to share the rewards obtained fifty fifty. Shukracharya knew that it is difficult to believe in Indra. But, seeing the grinning face of Lord Vishnu, he agreed to help.

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Since a grand Ocean had to be churned, they needed grand churning rod as well. Mount Mandaranchal came to help. He stabilized himself in the Ocean. They even needed a strong rope for churning. Vasuki, a strong serpent, was rendered by Lord Shiv. It was wrapped around the circumference of the hill. The head of the serpent pointed towards the asuras and the tail was grabbed by the suras. Due to enormous density of the hill, it couldn’t anchor itself in the waters. It began sinking. The Devas started praying for help to Lord Vishnu. Lord took a form of a majestic tortoise and went into the deep waters. He hovered in the waters, and held the mountain over His grand back. The hill became stable, and an efficient churning could be performed.

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As the churning began, the first thing which arose was poison, halaahal. The Gods as well as the demons couldn’t bear suffocation. They called for help from Lord Vishnu. He asked them to take aid from Lord Shiva, for he could drink the poison and save them. Lord Shiva appeared and drank the poison. The poison began unfurling across the body. Soon, Mother Jagdamba appeared and held His neck mildly with her lotus hands, the poison was arrested in the neck itself and was stopped from spreading. Lord Shiva’s throat received a hue tint, and is thus, called “Neelkantha“. The aspirations made Lord Shiva drink poison.

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Through consistent churning, the bounties began popping up from the waters. Mother cow, Parijat, Kamdhenu were taken by the Rishis for rituals. The horse, the nymphs were taken by the demons. The kalpataru (wish-fulfilling tree), the Airaavat (vehicle of Indra Dev), were accepted by the Devas. Then, a Glorious Form of Mother Lakshmi appeared out. The aspirants were dumbfounded. Mother, Herself put a garland around Lord Vishnu’s neck, thus returned to Vaikuntha (dwelling place of Lord).

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Then, a Celestial being holding a pot of Ambrosia arose. He was Lord Dhanwantari. He was the God of Ayurveda; restoring health in all. The aspirants hailed for the Ambrosia. Suddenly, the Eagle King, Garuda snatched the pot and left. Lord Vishnu transformed into an incarnation of a beautiful young lady (Mohini Avatar). The demons rejoiced to see a magnificent form. They wanted Mohini form. She sat amongst the asuras, and called Garuda for the pot (During this entire course of motion of the pot, four drops of Amrita spilled at four sites on earth. They are Ujjain, Allahabad, Nasik, and Haridwara). Stealthily, She distributed alcohol amongst the demons. Then, She offered Ambrosia to the Devas. But, two demons disguised themselves as Devas, and slipped into their group. They too received the Ambrosia. They became immortal intergalactic aspects, Rahu and Ketu, said to be influencing the horoscopic analysis.

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Thus everything was restored in all the lokas. The Manavlok was bestowed with all the riches of flora, fauna, and precious riches. The devas and daanavs received their wealth.

Let us see its interpretation in our lives. We are ought to churn our mind, for obtaining the riches veiled in the depths of delusion. We have to churn the ego to the verge that the soul becomes palpable as the butter. When we start meditating, poison gushes out. The Kundilini erupts venomous violence, six passions rise heavily. This happens when it reaches at Vishuddhi Chakra (Death center). The negativities, stagnated within our existence since millions of births, begin squirting out. After intense practice, the negativities surge heavily. Meditation, without the guidance of a Guru, deludes us. Then, gradually, the riches and powers are bestowed to us. The reunion of Lord Vishnu and Mother denotes the union of Shiv and Shakti, at the Prayag of our body, viz the Ajna Chakra. The Ambrosia of Eternity is rendered. The Gyan and the Vigyan rise with our Self.

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Lord Vishnu shall help us. Greater the faith, easier the path shall be. We will be able to love the world, being unattached. Tranquility and Pure Bliss shall prevail. There are many people who chant through the rosary, meditate for hours in a closed room, and in interaction, their attitude is horrendous. This is true hypocrisy. Love, humbleness, and joy flood across the minds of a true devotee. “I am in all, all are in me’, this thought prevails. The Guru acts as the Mount Mandaranchal as a churning rod, consoles His devotees, magnifies faith.

The fasting regime of “Ekadashi” began from the day when Lord Shiv was asked by the aspirants to drink the poison. Since, a thought of malevolence was embedded in the desire, Lord asked to perform fasting on that day. This was done to remorse for the act and to dispel the negativities out. The science of Ayurveda bestowed health in all beings.