Samudra Manthan, we all have read or heard about the story and wondered about the jewels, that emerged from it along with other amazing things. It is the time when Suras (Gods) and Asuras (An) worked in collaboration since both aspired for the Amrut, the nectar of immortality. It was not an easy task which Gods could accomplish alone. The demons too agreed since they knew that even they cannot achieve this feat single-handedly.
Manthan, the churning, a process which is conducted using a churning stick to stir the liquid. This stick is encircled by a rope that helps the churning process. Samudra means ocean hence it is the churning of the ocean of milk. Obviously, it required a huge and strong churning stick to stir the ocean. Mount Mandar was used as a huge stick and Vasuki, the king of serpents became the rope that encircled the stick to carry out the process of churning. Vishnu took the Avtar (incarnation) of Kurma (Tortoise) and balanced the mount Mandar on his back whereas Brahma (the creator of the universe) sat on the mountain top to maintain its balance. As a child, I always visualized this story and wondered how the entire process must have taken place.
The other day I got to listen to a beautiful discourse on Samudra Manthan by Dr. Kumar Vishwas where he explained how this entire process symbolises our life journey as a human being. Our epics narrate the philosophy of life in the form of the stories that use analogy to make it interesting and easy to understand. The stories may appear very simple or magical prima facie but they have a deeper connection with our life.
Samudra Manthan is nothing but a process of churning one’s soul to find that Amrut, the elixir of life. In literal meaning Amrut makes one immortal or keeps young forever but in a broader way it makes one immortal in the minds of people through one’s acts or deeds. A person’s work makes him immortal in this world by keeping him alive in the memory of people for generations to come. In today’s context we can consider Amrut to be one’s goal. To find this nectar, each one needs to stir that ocean within. In the process, we may come across certain challenges, temptations while we are on our way to find the hidden jewels within.
When Samudra Manthan took place, the jewels came out one after the other but they did not appear randomly. The sequence in which they appeared is very logical and interesting to understand.
First thing that appeared during the process of churning was Halaahal (the deadly poison, which has the capacity to burn everything that comes in its contact.) When we make a resolution to achieve something or accomplish a task, our journey begins. This journey may not be easy like a cake walk. We may have to face a lot of challenges and cross hurdles in the form of rejection, dejection, humiliation, downfall and many more. Once we overcome all these and acquire the ability to digeste this Halaahal, our core strengthens from within and sets us confidently on our further journey. Here we come across the second jewel that emerged from the Samudra Mantha and that is Kamdhenu (Holy cow- of abundance, who grants our wishes and provides nourishment in the form of a milk.) Once we are through the tests, we get nourished by the life experiences which lead to our enrichment. We achieve the treasure of abundant knowledge. With this knowledge, we are well equipped to march towards our goal.
Now we come across the next outcome of Manthan i.e. Uchchaishrava, the horse (the seven headed horse with wings.) This knowledge gives us wings to fly high and move in the direction leading towards our goals.
After we set on this journey with vigour and speed towards achieving our goal, we come across Airavat (the white elephant, vehicle of Lord Indra, the king of the Gods.) The king always sits high on the elephant when he sets out to accomplish something. An elephant is strong, intelligent and powerful yet calm animal who does not get perturbed by trivial obstacles. The elephant walks royally with his own speed, without getting disturbed by all the dogs barking at him from behind while he is walking gracefully and welcomed by the people who are happy to see him and respect him. These dogs are nothing but the people who are jealous of our achievements who keep on constantly criticising us. The dogs who are disturbed by his arrival may try to intimidate him, but he remains unperturbed and continues to march ahead.
When he continues his journey with eyes on his goal, he comes across the Kaustubh Mani (a precious jewel worn by Lord Vishnu in his necklace that bestows fortune, luxury and invincibility.) Our commitment and tireless efforts bring success to us. We get recognition and remuneration for our hard work.
Next emerges Kalpavruksha, (a tree that fulfills our desires and makes the means available to achieve our goal.) We get blessed with various means and opportunities which help us achieve what we want. These means bring success but with these means come certain temptations which test our integrity and decide the path of our next journey.
With the success comes next jewel, Rambha (celestial beauty- which generates lust, greed.) As we start achieving success, we desire more than we deserve. We want to possess more than we need.
If we are able to overcome the greed and remain committed towards our goal, we are blessed by Goddess Lakshmi (money, wealth). When one earns the wealth with hard work and efforts, he remains humble and grounded but if the greed surpasses the moral limit, one starts using unscrupulous means to satiate the greed. When one becomes powerful and wealthy by using dishonest means it leads to arrogance and euphoria.
This brongs the next emergence from the Manthan, Varuni (liquor- a state of intoxication) which leads to inebriated state of mind and loss of conscience. A person indulges in inappropriate practices after its consumption.
But, if we are able to control the advance of Rambha and Varuni i.e. lust, greed and state of euphoria, we acquire the next jewel i.e. Chandrama (the moon.) Moon light is always soothing and gentle. One feels at peace in the moonlight or by looking at her. Similarly, when we vanquish the temptation of intoxicating thoughts, our nature becomes gentle, kind like Chandrama. This nature keeps us connected to our roots and our good karma starts getting noticed by people.
Just like the next jewel, Prajkta tree. The flowers of Prajkta are very delicate yet very fragrant. One can feel the fragrance across the far distance even though the tree is not visible. This fragrance of our good deeds spreads across gradually. People start noticing our work. Our name and fame reach out to the people and they become aware of our work and once our work is noticed and our fame echoes like the sound of a conch (Shankh Dhwani.) which appeared next from the Manthan.
The Panchjanya Shankh which was taken by Lord Krishna and it is said that when Lord Krishna blew his Panchjanya shankh, its loud sound filled all the worlds, Akash (heavens), Patal lok (netherworld) and Pruthvi (earth)with the sound reverberating through them. Similarly, the name and fame of a person echoes across the world. When one crosses all the stepping stones and gets elevated he gets the last jewel that appeared from the Manthan i.e. Dhanvantari (God of Ayurveda, medicine) Once we conquer the vices and acquire the maturity and humility to deal with the success we have achieved, the last jewel that we earn is Amrut, the nectar of immortality. This Amrut is nothing but the purity of our soul and intentions. Our acts are focused more on the well-being of the entire human race. Whoever comes in contact with such a person, gets rid of all his problems. The company of such noble people cures all our worries. Our karma becomes immortal in the world and keeps our name afloat even after we have left the world.
We get to learn a lot of life lessons from this story. So what is the story all about? It is a beautiful connection of the process of Samudra Manthan with our life. What I gathered from the story-
- Do not hesitate to take help from your enemy or competitor if the cause is noble.
- Be aware and alert about enemy’s intentions and actions.
- Be wise to choose from what life has to offer you.
- We may get lured into a trap which can be an illusion, appealing as a reward but in reality, it may be the path to our downfall.
- Your success or failure entirely depends on your choices.
- However successful one may become one needs to be humble and grounded as it may not be permanent. Remember even Gods were rendered powerless once by the demons.
- Last but not the least, we can touch upon many more lives with the Amrut that we achieve in the form of inner peace and the success, spreading it further.