Preamble
This article is intended to convey information about the Samudra Manthan, the Churning of the Milk Ocean, translating detail about characters and behaviors from the divine to the mundane. The author does not profess expertise beyond repetition and a lot of study. Should you feel any part or portions are lacking detail or are in error, please forward a note with specifics and I'll update the text. Thank you, I hope you enjoy the article!
Introduction
The Samudra Manthan is a vivid story of the Vedas. It is rich with symbolism that can be viewed from multiple perspectives. It seems to be apparent, from the imagery of characters and their actions, that the symbolism of the story suggests they can be viewed and readily memorized from an anatomical, behavioral, and astrological perspective.
For a relatively short story, it contains a wealth and depth of meaning. This article will attempt to highlight major characters and some of the meaning they convey. In order to stay focused, much of the detail will be character-based while keeping references to the story on the light side.
Character Detail
The story opens with Sage Durvasa and a garland from Lord Vishnu meeting King Indra riding the elephant Airawat.
Sage Durvasa appears to represent the mature, adult version of the tail of the Asura: Ketu. He is emotional, judgmental, feeling, spiritual, poor, isolated, and blind to the material world: these are all aspects of astrological Ketu.
Durvasa desires to share the garland, representing Sri - life as the ultimate fortune. He shares the garland with the ego, represented by King Indra as the head of the Asura: Rahu.
Indra's ego is so big, he has to ride the largest land mammal, who can barely support him. Indra represents the aspects of astrological Rahu: desirous of material possessions, attention, so self-important he leads the Devas wherever he goes.
Indra, who's desire for everything is overwhelming, has no idea of the value of the garland - the all-important life essence - and mistakenly, ignorantly places it on the forehead of his elephant Airawat.
Why is it a mistake to place the garland on the elephant Airawat? Because it shows that he's unaware that the animal, or man's animal nature, lacks consciousness or any awareness as to the value of life or the existence of temporal needs. The proof is in how Airawat treats the garland - he throws it to the ground.
Sage Durvasa curses Indra and all the Devas to lose strength, energy, and fortune; all the essential aspects of life itself. As he represents Ketu (headless), he is blind to the fact that he will be joined to the curse himself.
Due to their inability to communicate, they both lose. The only point Rahu & Ketu share in common is the throat, where speech manifests in the light of the moment. Without speaking from a place of consideration, both Durvasa and Indra live in the darkness of their minds.
This aspect of the story appears to highlight that the only way to reconcile feelings and desire is via thoughtful speech or conversation. In astrological terms, one has to reconcile houses Rahu/Ketu are situated in by talking.
Hiding Behind All That Ego
Lost in the shuffle of the story are a number of characters who are easily glossed over. In spite of their placement in the background, the story is intended to draw them out.
The characters aren't the Asuras, the little demons who drive worlds into madness when they're in charge. The characters are those hiding behind the ego, drawn out of the Milk Ocean, and especiallybthe one living in the heart.
The Devas are central to the story. Though they appear as bit players forced to follow King Indra, the ego, while suffering the curse of Sage Durvasa, it is they who we're supposed to become aware of. It is their guiding presence in our life, their residence outside of ego, in the higher mind that hells us begin the journey to the heart and the selflessness and wisdom of Vishnu.
In the early portion of the story, we find the Devas behind Indra. After the Asuras have taken over the universe, we find them seeking advice from Vishnu, the heart. When Vishnu says reconcile and work together to promote life and immortality, they almost quietly like a whisper acquiesce for the benefit of life.
As a reward for seeking and following true sage wisdom, they are granted the gift of immortality by Vishnu. They don't say anything in response, they accept all that happens and continue through.
The only time we hear anything from the Devas, it's when the Sun and Moon inform Mohini that they can see a shadow on each other. They act wisely and are truthful all the time and in time.
The behavior of the Devas stands in stark contrast to the Asuras RahuKetu, who plot and scheme to lie to themselves and others that they are entitled to become something they aren't or weren't intended to be - immortal Asuras. They aren't entitled to immortality because they run against time and act on their desires, imperiling the universe.
In the early portion of the story, we find the Devas behind Indra. After the Asuras have taken over the universe, we find them seeking advice from Vishnu, the heart. When Vishnu says reconcile and work together to promote life and immortality, they almost quietly like a whisper acquiesce for the benefit of life.
As a reward for seeking and following true sage wisdom, they are granted the gift of immortality by Vishnu. They don't say anything in response, they accept all that happens and continue through.
The only time we hear anything from the Devas, it's when the Sun and Moon inform Mohini that they can see a shadow on each other. They act wisely and are truthful all the time and in time.
The behavior of the Devas stands in stark contrast to the Asuras RahuKetu, who plot and scheme to lie to themselves and others that they are entitled to become something they aren't or weren't intended to be - immortal Asuras. They aren't entitled to immortality because they run against time and act on their desires, imperiling the universe.
Anatomy and Physiology, Vedic Style
Mount Madura is the churning rod. Vasuki the snake is the rope wrapped around Mount Madura that the Devas and Asuras alternately pull to cause the rod to churn the Milk Ocean. When the churning starts, Halahal is produced, a poison that threatens to destroy the universe.
Shiva is called and he takes the poison into his throat where Parvati prevents him from swallowing it. The poison turns his throat blue. As the churning progresses, Mount Madura begins to sink into the Milk Ocean. Vishnu leaves Mount Madura and incanates as the turtle Kurma and takes the mountain on his back to support it while churning for the elixir of life - Amrit.
The following list highlights what appears to be anatomy described by character or symbol:
- The Devas represent aspects of the higher mind and associated regions of the brain.
- The Asuras represent male repriduction and lack of control.
- Mohini and her Discus, the Sudharshana Chakra, represents female reproduction.
- Sage Durvasa represents feelings, isolation, spirituality.
- King Indra represents the ego and lower mind.
- Airawat represents man's animal mind and lack of awareness of time or value of life.
- Mount Madura represents the beating heart and Vishnu - high wisdom.
- The Milk Ocean represents the liver, states of health (+/-) and in response to herbs, and healing.
- Vasuki represents the gastrointestinal tract and peristaltic action.
- Halahal the treacherous poison represents bile.
- Shiva, who also wears Vasuki around his neck, represents the Gall Bladder which is blue like his throat.
- Parvati represents the sphincter of Oddi.
- Kurma represents the kidneys, essential life-support to the heart and liver.
One of the (possibly) comic elements of the story is when the Devas, based on the advice of Vishnu, take the tail of Vasuki. This leaves the head of the snake to the Asuras.
Anatomically, and because the head of Vasuki produces noxious fumes, it would appear that the Asuras are holding the very end of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, they appear to represent male reproduction.
The Devas appear to maintain their position in the higher mind, having wisely sought the advice of Vishnu before acting.
The collaboration between the Devas, higher mind, and the Asuras, primal mind, reflect a mental struggle within the individual. One can only give attention to the desires of the lower or the higher. In either case, one takes on the rewards and work related to that which they give attention.
The ultimate work in life is centers around making and supporting children, which can either be created by pure lust or careful planning, depending on which end of Vasuki one allows to pull ones heart.
Anatomically, and because the head of Vasuki produces noxious fumes, it would appear that the Asuras are holding the very end of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, they appear to represent male reproduction.
The Devas appear to maintain their position in the higher mind, having wisely sought the advice of Vishnu before acting.
The collaboration between the Devas, higher mind, and the Asuras, primal mind, reflect a mental struggle within the individual. One can only give attention to the desires of the lower or the higher. In either case, one takes on the rewards and work related to that which they give attention.
The ultimate work in life is centers around making and supporting children, which can either be created by pure lust or careful planning, depending on which end of Vasuki one allows to pull ones heart.
The Milk Ocean as the Liver
While the Milk Ocean can be associated with the brain, it seems more logical that it represents the liver. The liver appears to be the better association because the goal of the churning is the production of the elixir of life, Amrit.
A healthy liver is capable of regenerating all cells, producing vibrant health, while being capable of healing all ailments throughout the body. A healthy liver is capable of regenerating liver tissue, even if upwards of 3/4 of the liver is cut away.
The fact that the Amrit is brought forth from the Milk Ocean by the physician Dhanvantari appears to suggest and support the liver being the Milk Ocean and great healer of the body.
It also appears to be a helpful hint that herbs are thrown into the Milk Ocean. The liver would be the recipient of such wonderful gifts, it alone being capable of making use of the herbs specifically based on the needs of the body.
[Coming soon: detail regarding the gifts of the ocean]
[Coming soon: detail regarding the gifts of the ocean]
Turtle Medicine is Kidney Medicine
An interesting association, if the turtle Kurma is actually associated with the kidneys, is the fact that turtle medicine of Native American healers are herbs specific to the kidneys.
Mohini's Discus and the Moment of Conception
In a separate article, I described how Mohini's Discus, the Sudharshana Chakra, appears to represent the human egg and RahuKetu a single sperm. The act of Mohini throwing the Discus to slice the suddenly immortal Asura into Rahu, the head, and Ketu, the tail vividly portrays the moment of conception of a new human.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of the story is this portion - the point at which RahuKetu sneaks between the sun and moon.
In astrological terms, the sun represents ones father and the moon represents ones mother. What this portion of the story appears to be relating isn't just the moment of conception, it represents all the aspects of a little Asuras life, with mom, dad, and all that chasing them around for the life of their parents, swallowing them up in all the myriad ways kids take over their parents lives.
Further, the story appears to narrate a very that life begins at the moment of conception. Astrologically, it may mean there's significance to the moment of conception, useful in combination with the moment of birth.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of the story is this portion - the point at which RahuKetu sneaks between the sun and moon.
Sun as Father, Moon as Mother
In the story, RahuKetu sneaks into line with the Devas. His goal is a drink of the immortal elixir Amrit. Just as he's taking a drop, the sun and moon alert Mohini.In astrological terms, the sun represents ones father and the moon represents ones mother. What this portion of the story appears to be relating isn't just the moment of conception, it represents all the aspects of a little Asuras life, with mom, dad, and all that chasing them around for the life of their parents, swallowing them up in all the myriad ways kids take over their parents lives.
Further, the story appears to narrate a very that life begins at the moment of conception. Astrologically, it may mean there's significance to the moment of conception, useful in combination with the moment of birth.
Conclusion
The story of the Samudra Manthan, the Churning of the Milk Ocean is rich in symbolism and meaning. In this presentation, I've attempted to show that the characters represent thought processes as well as organs of the body.
Not only does the story present organs through character, the actions and interactions of the characters highlight how organs and anatomical processes support and interact with one another. That the story is also presented in a narrative that makes it incredibly appealing, memorable, and timeless appears to be testimony to its divine nature.