Bal Kanda
Narration
Once, in the first Satya Yuga, both the sons of Aditi — the noble Devas — and the sons of Diti — the mighty Daityas — were extremely powerful. A thought arose in their minds:
“How can we become free from disease, decay, and death? How can we remain ever youthful and immortal?”
After much reflection, both the Devas and the Daityas agreed that if they churned the Ocean of Milk (Kṣīra Sāgara), they would surely obtain Amṛta, the nectar of immortality.
With this resolve, they began the great churning. The Mandara Mountain was chosen as the churning rod, and the serpent Vāsuki was taken as the rope. Holding the serpent on both sides, the Devas and Daityas began to churn the ocean.
A thousand years passed as the churning continued. The serpent Vāsuki, used as the rope, grew weary. His many mouths began to emit terrible flames and poison as he bit into the rocks of Mount Mandara. From this, a deadly, burning poison arose — the dreadful Hālāhala, blazing like fire and threatening to destroy gods, demons, and human beings alike.
Terrified, the Devas and Daityas ran for refuge to Lord Rudra, the great benefactor of all beings, crying out for protection. Hearing their plea, Lord Śiva, the Lord of Lords, appeared.
At that moment, Lord Viṣṇu too manifested before them and, smiling gently, said to Lord Śiva:
“O Lord of all gods, this poison that has emerged first from the churning belongs to You, for You are the foremost among the gods. Accept this as the first offering of honor (Agra Pūjā).”
Saying this, Lord Viṣṇu vanished from sight.
Seeing the fear on the faces of the gods and remembering Viṣṇu’s words, Lord Rudra regarded the terrible poison as if it were nectar itself. He drank the Hālāhala and held it in his throat, which turned blue, earning Him the name Nīlakaṇṭha — “the blue-throated one.” Having saved the worlds, Lord Śiva departed to His abode.
Afterward, the Devas and Asuras resumed the churning of the Ocean of Milk. During the churning, Mandara Mountain, used as the rod, began to sink into the netherworld. Alarmed, the gods and celestial beings prayed to Lord Viṣṇu, saying:
“O Lord with mighty arms, You are the support and sustainer of all beings, especially of the gods. Protect us! Lift this mountain so that the churning may continue.”
Hearing their prayer, Lord Viṣṇu took the form of a great tortoise (Kūrma), descended into the ocean, and placed Mount Mandara upon His back. Supporting it firmly, He lay beneath the waters, while with His own hands He held the mountain steady and joined the Devas in churning.
After another thousand years of churning, many wondrous things emerged from the depths of the ocean.
First appeared Lord Dhanvantari, radiant and pure, holding a staff in one hand and a water pot in the other — the divine physician, embodiment of Ayurveda.
Next emerged countless Apsarās, celestial maidens of great beauty and charm, born from the essence and moisture of the waters. There were said to be six hundred million Apsarās, and their attendants were beyond count. Neither gods nor demons could claim them as wives; thus, they remained free and unattached.
Then arose Varuṇī, the daughter of Varuṇa, goddess of wine and delight. She sought someone to accept her. The Daityas refused her, but the sons of Aditi — the gods — accepted her joyfully. Because the Daityas rejected Varuṇī, they were henceforth called Asuras (those without Sura, i.e., wine), while the Devas became known as Suras, the joyful ones.
The Devas rejoiced, filled with delight upon receiving Varuṇī.
After her came the divine horse Uccaiḥśravā, then the jewel Kaustubha, and finally, the nectar of immortality — Amṛta itself.
When the nectar appeared, a fierce conflict erupted between the Devas and Daityas over its possession. The Daityas and Rākṣasas united as one force against the gods, and a great cosmic war broke out — one that threatened to swallow all three worlds.
As the battle raged and both sides grew weary, Lord Viṣṇu, the all-powerful Preserver, took on the enchanting form of Mohinī, the divine maiden of illusion. Through Her charm and wisdom, She seized the Amṛta and distributed it among the Devas, thus restoring balance to creation.
The Daityas who tried to snatch the nectar by force were struck down in battle by Lord Viṣṇu Himself.
When the war ended, the sons of Aditi — the gods — triumphed, destroying many of the Asuras. The gods, now victorious, regained sovereignty over the three worlds. Indra, the king of gods, rejoiced greatly and, along with the sages and celestial beings, began to rule over all the realms with peace and order restored.