Out of all religions in world ,Hinduism is most ill
understood ,partly due to its antiquity and partly due to foreign rulers of
India who destroyed its relics of past
making it difficult for future historians to bridge missing links in its
history and culture. Motto of foreign rulers was simple—“Destroy culture, it
destroys nation.”
Lately, revisiting by West in to past of India has rekindled
interest in Vedic wisdom and its relevance today. It was Carl Sagan,
Astrophysicist who stated, “Hindu religion is only religion in which time
scales correspond to modern cosmology”. Louis Jacolliot even said, “Vedas ideas
are in perfect harmony with modern science”.
In ancient literature of India fact and fiction are so much
interwoven that it becomes extremely difficult for casual reader to know real
truth. True Upanishad teachings are otherworldly and did not improve lot of
common man, yet its teachings are lofty and its relevance is being recognized
by modern scientists and scholars. One may say mythology has put Vedic wisdom
in shadows yet we can visualize that it has saved Vedic wisdom from total
extinction. Just as cover of fruit helps in preserving and maturing of fruit,
in same way mythology has acted as crutches for this Abstruse Vedic philosophy.
This philosophy can only be understood by wise in humanity. Greatest value of
this philosophy is that it is not sectarian and is for humanity at large.
One of the
common Hindu mythology tales is Samandura Manthan. This Manthan is discussed in
Vishnu Puran, Mahabharata and Bhagvat Puran. Very few learned really understand
real spiritual significance of this story.
Puranic story:-
Rishi Durvasa curses Devas to be bereft of all energy and
fortune. In the battles that ensued between Devas and Asuras, devtas are
defeated and Asura king Bali gains control of three worlds. Devas approach Lord
Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu urges Devas to have alliance with Asuras to churn
ocean for nectar of immortality. Asuras after being assured of nectar agree to
churn ocean with Devas. In churning of ocean Mount Mandara is used as churning
rod and Vasuki [naga king] is used as churning rope. Lord Vishnu, in the form TURTLE
[Kurma avatar] supports Mount Mandara on its back and saves it from sinking in ocean.
Kurma also stabilizes mountain. Many things are released by churning which
Devas and Asuras share. During churning three goddesses also appear.
Laxmi—goddesses of wealth and fortune is given to Lord Vishnu.Apsaras are
chosen by demigods as companions. Varuni is accepted by Asuras. Out of
supernatural animals Airavat is taken by Indra, Kamadhenu –wish granting cow is
given to Sages and Uchhaishrvas—7 headed horse is taken by Asuras. Out of other
valuables, Kaustaba ratan is given to Lord Vishnu, Parijat plant----Divine
flowering plant is taken to Indra loka, Sharanga---Bow goes to Asuras, Chandra
[moon] decorates head of Lord Siva. Some puranas also talk of Shanka, Jyeshta,
Umbrella, Kapalvriksha plant, Nidra.Most importantly churning releases lethal
poison” Halahala’. This poison is very powerful enough to destroy whole
universe. Devas now approach Lord Siva for help. Without help whole universe
including Devtas and Asuras face annihilation. Lord Siva agrees to consume
poison Halahala to save whole universe from annihilation. Lord Sivas throat
turns blue with this poison, hence the name Neelkanth for Lord Siva. Finally
Dhanvantri come out with pot having Amrita [Nectar. Garuda takes pot away lest
Asuras lay hand on it.Lord Vishnu again has role to play. He disguises himself
as Mohini [beautiful damsel] and takes pot from Garuda. Mohini mesmerizes
Asuras with her beauty. She promises nectar will be given both to Devas and
ASURAS. She starts first with Devas. In the meantime Rahu disguises himself as
Deva and manages to get nectar from Mohini. She is alarmed by Chandra deva and
Surya Deva about mischief done by Rahu. Mohini swings into action and with help
of Sudarshan Chakra chops head of Rahu lest he becomes immortal. Since nectar
had not gone below throat of Rahu, only Rahu’s head attains immortality. Asuras
do not get Amrita. War breaks out between Asuras and Devas. In this war Devas
win as they are rejuvenated by Nectar. Thus ends Samandura Manthan story. Later
another story is attached to this story. While nectar pot is taken away by
Garuda, there is spillage of nectar. This occurs at four places---Haridwar,
Nasik, Prayag and Ujjain. These places are supposed to have attained some
mystic powers due to this Amrita spill over. Kumbh mela is celebrated at these
places nowadays after every 12 years. People believe bathing at these places in
Kumbh mela will lead to their salvation
Spiritual
significance:-
In Puranic stories there is always hidden symbolism and
there are spiritual lessons too. Churning means nothing but transformation of
mind and body on path to liberation. Just as churning of milk separates butter
so does churning of mind separate pure intelligence [consciousness].
Immortality is final product in practice of yoga. Atman and Parmatman are same,
former is limited by karma and physical body. It should be duty of every
individual to do self-introspection and remove veil of ignorance by Gyan
/Dhyana yoga. Only when this churning/introspection of mind and soul is done
can individual find inseparability of Atman and Paratman. Once this is attained
one has reached to stage of immortality.
Hindus
believe man is an miniature universe so there are two paths to know real truth,
one is self-introspection and other is probing outer space. In body both good
and bad elements reside. Same is true of this universe. Gods of manthan
symbolize Sattva, Purity, and Intelligence. They also represent sense organs,
virtue and pleasure. Asuras symbolize Tamas, Darkness, Delusion, Evil, Pain
etc. Participation of gods and Asuras in churning means there has got to be
integration and harmonization of both gross and subtle bodies. One has to
harness both positive and negative energies for common goal. Ocean in churning
represents Mind/Consciousness which contains many hidden treasures. Ocean could
symbolize universe also. Mountain Mandhara symbolizes concentration and
steadiness of seeker and Tortoise [kurma] stands for withdrawal of senses into
oneself which is very essential to practice Dhyana [meditation]. Just as
Tortoise with draws into its shell, so can seeker attain liberation by
withdrawing in to Atman residing in him. Support of Tortoise denotes that
supreme consciousness has to back him all the way if he has to succeed. Vasuki
represents desire/intent of seeker and his holding of serpent denotes self-control.
Rope also signifies cooperation we need in our spiritual journey. One has to
balance both spiritual and worldly life. Poison, Halahal represents all negative forces
which surface during meditation to distract seeker. Halahala represents
sufferings and pain we have to undergo while doing penance. Intervention of
Lord Siva means Gurus Anugraha is needed for spiritual advancement. It also means
virtue, self-control and purity prevails over negative forces. Siva consuming
poison also denotes how one should deal with inner turmoil with courage and
discipline .Gifting of Laxmi to Lord Vishnu means surrender of all luxuries by
seeker to God as they belongeth to Him. This releases seeker from karmic debt.
Dhanvantri represents health and physical being. It means that seeker need to
be in good moral and spiritual health. Mohini symbolizes Maya [delusion,
desire, ignorance Ego] to which Asuras fall prey, forgetting real goal of
getting Nectar first. MOHINI giving Amrit to gods only means upholding order,
karma and Dharma. By giving Amrit [nectar]
to Asuras would mean spreading wickedness and disorder in universe. Objects
coming out of ocean would also symbolize some psychic and supernatural powers emanating
while doing sadhana. Seeker needs to remain on guard lest he falls for these
powers and misses his goal.
Conclusion:---
Puranic
stories are not fantasies but stories with full of hidden wisdom and historical
accounts of ancient India. Great irony is we just read and enjoy these stories
without trying to go into depth of these stories. Sagar Manthan is one of these
mystic stories. This story tells us that we have got to maintain balance
between our material and spiritual lives. Good and bad are part of our lives.
One has to overcome negativity in life by positive [satvic] karma. Story also
tells us Jivataman and Paratman are same, former veiled by ignorance. Moksha
can be achieved by realizing this truth.
