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Wars of the Yugas

Samudra Manthan

5200 BC Kshira Sagara Status: ended Casualties: Halahala poison drunk by Shiva; many asuras

Devas and asuras together churned the Ocean of Milk for the amrita of immortality, using Mount Mandara as the rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope. The deadly poison Halahala arose first; Shiva drank it and held it in his throat (turning it blue). Then the treasures — Lakshmi, Kamadhenu, Airavata — and at last the amrita, which Vishnu as Mohini gave to the devas alone. Bhagavata Purana 8.

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Belligerents

  • Devas (gods)
  • Asuras (demons)

Casualties

Halahala poison drunk by Shiva; many asuras

Key events

  • Mount Mandara as dasher; Vāsuki as rope
  • Vishnu as Kūrma upholding the mountain
  • Halahala drunk by Shiva — his throat turned blue
  • Dhanvantari rises with the amrita kalasha
  • Mohinī beguiles the asuras out of their share

Sources

  • Bhagavata Purana 8.5–8.12
  • Mahabharata Adi Parva 18
  • Vishnu Purana 1.9
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