॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Saturday, 4 February 2023 VIII.06 - On Bhagavan's instructions, the Devas make a truce with Asuras led by Bali Chakravarti. They go and try to bring the Mandara mountain for the churning of the Milky Ocean. But they are unable to lift it to the Milky Ocean. Bhagavan Maha Vishnu comes and helps them.
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Pleased by the ardent prayer of Lord Brahma, Bhagavan Maha Visnhu appeared in all His glory. Radiant like a thousand suns, His form blinded everybody and they were clueless even about their own presence. Only Brahma and Shiva perceived Bhagavan in all His glory, the most beautiful form in the universe with four hands, in divine bluish form, adorned with the choicest of ornaments, a golden cloth, Sri Devi on His chest, the Kaustubha Mani necklace and so on. Lord Brahma broke into a wonderful prayer. I quote only three shlokas:
यथाग्निमेधस्यमृतं च गोषु भुव्यन्नमम्बूद्यमने च वृत्तिम् ।
योगैर्मनुष्या अधियन्ति हि त्वां गुणेषु बुद्ध्या कवयो वदन्ति ॥
तं त्वां वयं नाथ समुज्जिहानं सरोजनाभातिचिरेप्सितार्थम् ।
दृष्ट्वा गता निर्वृतमद्य सर्वे गजा दवार्ता इव गाङ्गमम्भ: ॥
स त्वं विधत्स्वाखिललोकपाला वयं यदर्थास्तव पादमूलम् ।
समागतास्ते बहिरन्तरात्मन्किं वान्यविज्ञाप्यमशेषसाक्षिण: ॥
T: "Dear Bhagavan! As one can derive fire from wood, milk from the udder of the cow, food grains and water from the land, and prosperity in one’s livelihood from economic endeavours, so, by the practice of Bhakti Yoga, even within this material world, one can achieve Your favour or intelligently approach You. Those who are pious all affirm this."
"Elephants afflicted by a forest fire come and immerse themselves in the Ganga for happy relief. Similarly, by seeing Your Lordship, whom we have desired to see for a very long time, we have achieved our ultimate goal in life, and already feel relieved from our afflictions. My Lord, we, the various gods, the guardians of the universe, have come to Your lotus feet. Please fulfil the purpose for which we have come. You are the witness of everything, from within and without. Nothing is unknown to You, and therefore it is unnecessary to inform You again of anything."
Bhagavan now spoke, and Sage Vyasa says His voice was deep like the rumble of a cloud and stirred the innermost being of all. He said,
"Oh Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and other gods, please hear Me with great attention, for what I say will bring good fortune for all of you. As long as you are down and out, you should make a truce with the demons and Asuras. Right now Time favours them and hence they are powerful. In one's own interest, it is opportune to make a truce even with one's enemy. It is like a snake trapped in a basket makes truce for the moment with a rat who can chew up an escape route from the basket. (He will then become a meal for the snake)."
"You should cooperate with the Asuras and invite them to join in churning the Milky Ocean. It will yield Amrutha, the nectar of immortality! You should collect and cast into the Ocean of Milk all kinds of vegetables, herbs, creepers and medicinal roots. Then, with My help, make the Mandara mountain the churning rod, and Vasuki - the great serpent- the rope for churning. Churn the Ocean of Milk with undiverted attention. Thus the demons will be engaged with you jointly in this laborious task, and you will gain the actual result, the Amrutha nectar produced from the ocean."
"My dear gods, with patience and peace everything can be done, but if one is agitated by anger, the goal is not achieved. Therefore, whatever the demons ask, agree to their proposal. A poison known as Kalakuta (कालकूट) will be generated from the Ocean of Milk, but you should not fear it. And when various products are churned from the ocean, you should not be greedy for them or anxious to obtain them, nor should you be angry."
Indra and all the gods went to Maha Bali in his court. All his associates and ministers were ready to pounce and destroy their enemy. Bali was more accommodating and accepted the hand of truce from Indra. The Devas and Asuras were both most enthused to churn the Milky Ocean for Amurtha!
As directed by Bhagavan, they went in a large group and managed to uproot Mandara. Mandara mountain was lifted but it was too heavy for even all the gods and demons to carry. As they tried to transport it, it rolled down and crushed a number of Devas and Asuras to death! Bhagavan, ever-merciful, now appeared again.
तांस्तथा भग्नमनसो भग्नबाहूरुकन्धरान् ।
विज्ञाय भगवांस्तत्र बभूव गरुडध्वज: ॥
गिरिपातविनिष्पिष्टान्विलोक्यामरदानवान् ।
ईक्षया जीवयामास निर्जरान् निर्व्रणान् यथा ॥
गिरिं चारोप्य गरुडे हस्तेनैकेन लीलया ।
आरुह्य प्रययावब्धिं सुरासुरगणैर्वृत: ॥
अवरोप्य गिरिं स्कन्धात् सुपर्ण: पततां वर: ।
ययौ जलान्त उत्सृज्य हरिणा स विसर्जित: ॥
T: The gods and demons were frustrated and disheartened, and their arms, thighs and shoulders were broken. Therefore Bhagavan, who knows everything, appeared there on the back of His carrier, Garuda.
Observing that most of the demons and the gods had been crushed by the falling of the mountain, the Lord glanced over them and brought them back to life. Thus they became free from grief, and they even had no bruises on their bodies. The Lord very easily lifted the mountain with one hand and placed it on the back of Garuda. Then, He too got on the back of Garuda and went to the Ocean of Milk, surrounded by the gods and demons. Thereafter, Garuda, the Lord of birds, unloaded Mandara Mountain from his shoulder and brought it near the water. Then he was asked by the Lord to leave that place, and he left.
We can see another of Bhagavan's Leelas, where many are involved, many strive, and only some who have His grace receive their rewards.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
