The spectacular Madhubani painting portrays the local version of a well-known story from Purana.
Once, both gods and demons fell short of the elixir or Amrita and some other precious things to reappear after the recreation of the universe. The gods sought the assistance of the demons for churning of the ocean of milk, which would bring forth these treasures. They offered them an equal share of the Amrita.
The demons agreed and helped the gods to tear up the Mount Madura to use as a churning stick. The serpent King Vasuki comes from his underwater abode to be used as a churning rope. The gods took the tail end and the demons pulled from the head. As the churning continued, Vasuki's breath grew very hot and the demons almost suffocated.
But when Vasuki started vomiting a poison that threatened to contaminate the ocean of milk and the Amrita, Shiva took it in his mouth, where it turned his throat blue. (This is why Lord Shiva is known as Neelkantha). As the churning progressed, the Mount Madura started sinking into the ocean bed. Soon, Vishnu assumed the form of his tortoise avatar Koorma and let them use his back as a pivot upon which the churning stick could turn.
The Ocean produced Lakshmi, Sura, Goddess of wine, Chandra or the Moon, Rambha the nymph, Uchchaisravas the white horse, Kaustubha a jewel, Parijata the celestial wishing tree, Surabhi the cow of plenty, Airavata a white elephant, Sankha a conch shell, Dhanus a mighty bow and Visha the poison vomited by Vasuki.
And at last the Ocean also produced the Amrit, carried by Dhanwantari. Both the gods and demons tried to seize the Amrit but the demons were first. While they were quarreling over who should drink it first, Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a beautiful woman. Mohini gave the demons varuni, or liquor, while the gods got the amrit.
Description
The spectacular Madhubani painting portrays the local version of a well-known story from Purana.
Once, both gods and demons fell short of the elixir or Amrita and some other precious things to reappear after the recreation of the universe. The gods sought the assistance of the demons for churning of the ocean of milk, which would bring forth these treasures. They offered them an equal share of the Amrita.
The demons agreed and helped the gods to tear up the Mount Madura to use as a churning stick. The serpent King Vasuki comes from his underwater abode to be used as a churning rope. The gods took the tail end and the demons pulled from the head. As the churning continued, Vasuki's breath grew very hot and the demons almost suffocated.
But when Vasuki started vomiting a poison that threatened to contaminate the ocean of milk and the Amrita, Shiva took it in his mouth, where it turned his throat blue. (This is why Lord Shiva is known as Neelkantha). As the churning progressed, the Mount Madura started sinking into the ocean bed. Soon, Vishnu assumed the form of his tortoise avatar Koorma and let them use his back as a pivot upon which the churning stick could turn.
The Ocean produced Lakshmi, Sura, Goddess of wine, Chandra or the Moon, Rambha the nymph, Uchchaisravas the white horse, Kaustubha a jewel, Parijata the celestial wishing tree, Surabhi the cow of plenty, Airavata a white elephant, Sankha a conch shell, Dhanus a mighty bow and Visha the poison vomited by Vasuki.
And at last the Ocean also produced the Amrit, carried by Dhanwantari. Both the gods and demons tried to seize the Amrit but the demons were first. While they were quarreling over who should drink it first, Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a beautiful woman. Mohini gave the demons varuni, or liquor, while the gods got the amrit.
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