Skip to main content

First Game Of Tug Of War


 Once upon a time, due to the curse of Sage Durvasa, the Devas (Gods) became weak and hence lost the battle with the Asuras (Demons). The Gods then went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu instructed them to ask the Asuras to join them to obtain the Nectar Of Immortality by churning the milky ocean (Samudra Manthan) and share it among themselves. The Gods obeyed the command of Vishnu and approached the Asuras. The Asuras readily agreed as they were also eager to become immortal. But for churning the ocean they needed a churning rod and a rope. For this, they used the Mandara mountain as the rod and a snake named Vasuki as a rope. Before the churning process began, they fought for the head of the snake. After sometime, the Gods gave up and agreed to hold the tail because Lord Vishnu had instructed them to do so. Then the churning process began. The Asuras were poisoned by the fumes emitted by the snake and their strength began to diminish. Despite this, both of them pulled back and forth causing the mountain to rotate just like a game of tug of war. But, the Mandara mountain kept sinking into the ocean. So, Lord Vishnu had to take the form of tortoise (Kurma Avatar) to support the mountain on his back. This churning process released a number of things. The first thing that came out was the Halahala poison. This was so poisonous that it could destroy the entire creation! The terrified Gods then approached Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva then consumed the poison. The poison was stuck in his throat and his throat turned blue. This is why he is called Neelakanta. Then the Gods and Demons started the churning process again and obtained Goddess Lakshmi, Apsaras(celestial damsels), Varuni(wine), Kamadhenu(cow), Airavata(elephant), Uchhaishravas(horse), Kaustubha Gem, Parijatha Tree, Sharanga(bow), Soma(moon), Shankha(conch), Umbrella, Earrings and finally Dhanvantari(Celestial Physician) came with the Nectar of Immortality in his hand. Then a battle ensued between the Gods and the Demons. Then Garuda took the nectar and flew away from the battlefield. Then Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a beautiful damsel and distracted the Demons. She then took the nectar and started distributing it to the Gods. Swarbhanu (rahu-ketu) disguised himself as a God and drank it. This was noticed by the Sun and the Moon God and they informed Mohini (Lord Vishnu) about it. She became angry and cut the head of Swarbhanu with Sudarshan Chakra (this is the discus of Lord Vishnu). However, some of the nectar had managed to go down his throat and he did not die. From that day, the head was called Rahu and his body was called Ketu. Finally, after Lord Vishnu distributes the nectar to all the Gods, they became immortal and defeated the Demons.




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Why Tulsi Is Not Offered While Worshipping Ganesha

  Once upon a time Tulsi, the daughter of Dharmaraj, was visiting all the holy places reciting the name of Lord Vishnu in order to get married. Once, in her journey on the banks of the Ganges she saw a handsome man with a charming smile on his face wearing yellow silken garments and sandalwood paste on his limbs and wearing gem-studded ornaments. He was meditating on Lord Vishnu as well. This handsome man was none other than Lord Ganesha. Tulsi immediately fell for him and asked him who he was. But, Lord Ganesha did not respond. She then poured some water on him and pushed him with her forefinger. Though Ganesha's meditation was disturbed, he smiled and asked her who she was. After giving her introduction, she asked him to marry her. Ganesha objected saying he was a celibate and not interested in worldly matters. Tulsi got angry and cursed him saying he will have to marry a wicked lady. In turn Ganesha cursed her saying she will turn into a plant and will marry a demon named S...

Three small steps of Vamana, One giant leap from Ego

  There was an Asura king named Bali. He was the grandson of the great Prahalad. He once decided to perform a sacrifice on the advise of his guru Shukracharya. While he was performing the sacrifice, a dwarf Brahmin came to the spot. Bali welcomed the Brahmin and asked him what he wanted. The Brahmin asked for just three steps of land. Everybody around laughed at the request, but Bali agreed to grant him what he wanted. Shukracharya was skeptical about the request of the Brahmin but soon realized that he was none other than Lord Vishnu in his Vamana (Dwarf) Avatar. He stopped Bali from granting the Brahmin's wishes. But, Bali was adamant as he had already given his word. Shukracharya got angry and cursed him saying since he did not listen to the word of his Guru he will soon fall down from his high position. Then Bali washed the feet of Vamana with a golden pitcher of water and soon the Brahmin began to grow in size! He grew so huge that with one step he covered the whole earth and ...

Story Of Andal

  Vishnuchithan was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was childless and hence prayed to the Lord for a child. One day Lord Vishnu answered his prayers. He saw a girl child under a tulasi plant in the garden of a temple. He adopted the girl and named her Kothai. She was an incarnation of Bhudevi. But, Vishnuchithan was unaware of this. Everyday Vishnuchithan used to make a garland of flowers and offer it to the Lord. Kothai grew up devoted to Lord Vishnu as well. Each day her father made a garland of flowers to the Lord, she used to wear the garland on herself and dreamt to be married to Lord Vishnu. She was just a 5 year old girl! Vishnuchithan did not know about this. But, one day when he was about to offer the garland to the Lord, he noticed a strand of hair in it! When he found out the truth, he scolded Kothai.  So he made a new garland and offered to Lord Vishnu which was not worn by Kothai. But, it fell down on the ground. Vishnucithan was puzzled at this. That night, Lo...