The Churning of the Ocean

Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.

From Ancient Tales From Many Lands by Rachel M. Fleming, 1922.

Sauti, a Hindu who had wandered to many places, visiting sacred waters and holy shrines, came to the forest where dwelt the holy men who had denied themselves all the pleasures that other men love. They received Sauti kindly, and bade him be seated. When he had recovered from his weariness, they begged him to tell them of all the things he had learnt on his many travels.

The story of the Churning of the Ocean is one that Sauti told to Saunaka, one of these wise men.

Sauti said, "O wise man, about this time was seen that most beautiful of horses, that gem of steeds who arose at the churning of the Ocean for nectar."

Saunaka asked, "Why did the gods churn the Ocean for nectar? Under what circumstances did that best of steeds appear?"

Sauti said, "There is a mountain named Meru. The rays of the sun fall on its golden peaks. There dwell the gods, but it is too mighty to be approached by sinful men. So high is it, that its golden shining peaks kiss the heavens." The gods came together upon it to discuss how they might recover a wonderful drink called the Amrit.

Then Narayana, the spirit that moves upon the face of the waters, said, "O! ye gods, churn the Ocean. By churning the Ocean you will recover the precious Amrit and also many jewels."

Sauti said, "There is a mountain called Mandara. It is covered with herbs and trees, among which countless birds pour forth their melody." The gods decided to tear up the mighty Mandara, and use it as a churning stick, but alas! they could not even so much as shake the huge rock, which defied all their efforts to move it. Then the gods came to Vishnu and Brahma, and called upon them saying, " O! ye gods, think out some plan so that Mandara may be torn up for our good."

Sauti said, "Then, O wisest of men, Vishnu came to their help, and the lotus-eyed one laid this hard task on the mighty Ananda, the Prince of Snakes. Then, at the bidding of Vishnu, the mighty Ananda tore up the rock, and the gods with Ananda and the rock came to the shore of the Ocean, and said to the Ocean, "O Ocean, we have come to churn thy waters, and thus to get the wondrous nectar Amrit."

And the Ocean replied, “Be it so, only give me a share of the Amrit. I can well bear the churning of my waters by the rock." Then the gods went to the king of the tortoises and said to him, "O Tortoise King, thou must hold the mighty Mandara rock upon thy back. The Tortoise King agreed, and the gods placed Mandara upon the back of the tortoise.

Then the gods made Mandara the churning stick, and took a snake to be the cord, and set about churning the Ocean to get the Amrit. Some held the snake by the hood and others by the tail, and thus they turned the mighty rock and churned the waters of the Ocean.

They grew so hot and weary that the showers which fell from heaven were cool and refreshing, as were the flowers that fell upon them from the trees on the whirling Mandara.

Then, O best of sages, out of the deep came a tremendous roaring as the mighty rock churned its waters, and many of the fish were crushed by the rock, and died in the salt waters of the Ocean. From the turning Mandara great trees were torn up by the roots, and fell into the water, and the mountain looked like a mass of dark clouds charged with lightning. O best of Brahmans, the fire increased and burnt the hons and elephants and other creatures upon the mountain's sides, until at last the storm god extinguished the fire by pouring upon it heavy showers.

O best of Brahmans, after the churning had gone on for a long time, the gods obtained gums and various juices, and fine gold from the Ocean. But still the Amrit did not appear.

Then the gods called upon Brahma and said, "Sire, we are spent. We have not strength left to churn, and yet the Amrit has not appeared. We have no help now, unless the spirit that moves upon the waters will hear us."

Brahma listened to their prayer, and said to the spirit that moves upon the waters, "O Narayana, be pleased to grant the gods strength to churn the deep afresh."

Then the spirit that moves upon the waters heard their prayers, and said, "Ye wise ones, I grant you strength. Go, place the mountain in the waters and churn them once again."

Then the gods, with renewed strength, recommenced their churning of the Ocean. After a little while the mild moon, which had been lost during all this terrible time, arose from the Ocean and shed its thousand rays upon them. Then came wine, and the wonderful white steed, and then the wondrous jewel, Kaustubha, which adorns the breast of the spirit that moves upon the waters. Then, to the joy of all, came one bearing the much longed-for Amrit in a white vessel. The churning still went on, however, and there arose at length a great elephant with two pairs of shining white tusks,

Alas! then, gods and men began to quarrel as to who should have the precious Amrit, but Vishnu helped the gods, and they were soon drinking the precious nectar. But while they drank the Amrit, a mortal entered and drank of it too. Then, on the shores of the salt water sea, began a dreadful fight between gods and men. And when the sun arose in his splendour, thousands of warriors struck one another with their weapons, and cries of distress were heard on every side. At last the gods obtained the victory. Then they paid their respects to their churning stick, Mandara, and placed it on its base again. Then the nectar-bearing gods, making the heavens resound with their shouts of joy, returned to their homes. But the white vessel from which the Amrit could always be obtained was given by the gods into the care of the spirit that moves upon the waters.

Then Sauti ended his story by saying, "Thus have I recited to you the whole story of how the Amrit was churned out of the Ocean."

Fleming, Rachel M. Ancient Tales From Many Lands. Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1922.

Rachel M. Fleming

World Mythology

A collection of myths, legends, and other stories that teach us something about the world. Note that myths are often tied into the history and religion of the people who tell them, and they should always be treated and read with respect!

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