The Samudra Manthan

The Samudra Manthan- The Churning of the Cosmic OceanBy Deepam Chatterjee
The ancient Hindu texts talk of the great churning of the ocean by the Gods and Demons where Lord Vishnu appeared as the Tortoise Avatar, and supported the Meru mountain on His back, as it was used to stir up the Divine Ocean using the Vasuki snake as a rope. A great many treasures appeared, but first appeared Halahala, the greatest poison in the creation, which was swallowed by Lord Shiva. This was followed by a seven-headed flying horse, a seven-trunked elephant, Goddess Lakshmi, a wish fulfilling tree, a gem of immense lustre, etc. Ultimately appeared Dhanvantari, the healer of Gods, holding the golden pot filled with the Amrita -nectar of Immortality.Actually, the Samudra manthan is the churning inside our mind to cleanse ourselves and to purge the negatives and reach the positives...Meru or Mandaar parvat represents the spine- which is also called meru dand...The snake represents the awareness moving between positive and negative thoughts- which are represented by Devas and Asuras.Vishnu as the tortoise represents the expanded awareness- and the basis of existence.The tortoise form represents the meditative mind where the 5 senses- as the 5 extensions- legs, arms and head- are withdrawn inwards into the shell...Shiva represents awareness- which remains vigilant and alert...In the initial stages of meditation, intense churning of the mind occurs, and first all vile negativity appears- one feels filthy and dirty- as all bad thoughts appear...These are represented by halahal and the ever vigilant and aware one swallows these and does not react- these are not allowed to be re digested and thus no reactions occur.Shiva swallowing halahal implies pure witnessing- the vile thoughts dissolve, and then great joy and wealth appear in the purified mind...These are represented by the fourteen jewels appearing from the ocean...Neither Shiva, nor Vishnu, nor any other Deva actually exists in the forms we see them- but as our mind patterns, which occur eternally...Actually all puranas are layered and full of symbolism- they tell secret tales behind closed doors...email at thetimelessfaith@googlegroups.comWebsite at http://groups.google.co.in/group/thetimelessfaith-- Happiness is not having what you want...It is simply wanting what you have... .Deepam