The Master sat under the cool shade of the Banyan tree. A little below him gathered around his presence young and old disciples, swift and brilliant in thought, energetic and full of enthusiasm, glad in heart and calm in speech and countenance; they sat around their Master as the ministers gather around a king. But this was a king whose slightest wish was their command and to obey him their soul’s right and privilege.
So they gathered late in the noon after the chores of the ashrama were over, expectant and eager for the nectar drops that would flow out of the Master’s heart in the form of stories from a hoary past. The Master’s touch turned these well-known or unknown tales into keys to unlock an inner door that opens upon the pathway towards the future.
A disciple started the conversation, “Tell us, dear Master, the story of that great endeavour when the gods and the titans came together?”
“You mean the tale about the churning of the ocean and the nectar of immortality?” asked the Master. The disciple nodded with a smile of approval.
The Master started, his gaze looking far upon the horizon as he was travelling far back in Time or perhaps into another Time-Space Dimension, for indeed the story is of another dimension, a fourth dimension beyond our earthly sense, yet whatever happens there casts its influence upon the earth.
So the Master told the tale:
“The gods and the titans are ever at war. The gods have wisdom but not as much strength. They can give wisdom, they also have compassion but when it comes to force, it is the titans who have an upper hand.”
“Naturally, the titans have the upper hand in the battle using all means to win, being fierce and cruel by nature.”
“The gods did not know what to do. Their defeat or even retreat meant that the demoniac qualities would grow on earth and human hearts would become hard and given only to lust and greed. So they approached the great god, Vishnu, the preserver who dwells as Narayana in the human heart. Vishnu gave audience to the gods. Their concern was his concern as well. For the defeat of gods meant a diminution of godlike qualities and that would mean a great disorder.”
The disciples’ faces began to beam as they began to see a new sense in the story, a meaning that was relevant to them.
The Master continued:
“Narayana, the all-pervading Godhead who has chosen to dwell in the human heart so that men may not stray far away from dharma, spoke thus to the gods, ‘The titans are stronger and cruel as well. You, the gods, are wise and compassionate. Through wisdom, you have learnt humility and surrender therefore have you come to me for help. I will surely help you. But first, you must find the nectar of immortality. It is that which will make you strong and invincible against the titans.’”
“A smile of secrecy lingered upon the great Lord’s lips. And the gods looking at each other with amazement and wonder asked, ‘The nectar of immortality. But where can we find it, Lord?’”
“The gracious Lord continued, ‘You will find it in the deepest depths of the ocean of knowledge, Ksheera Sagar, that upholds the great world-serpent, Time, whose uncoiling carries the world-march forward and in whose heart, I, the guardian of the law, am asleep.’
“There was a moment’s pause yet a pause in which one felt as if ages passed away, for a moment of the Lord is a thousand years of earthly life. The Lord resumed:
‘In the depths of this ocean of knowledge lies the nectar of immortality born out Bliss that is at the core of everything. But you cannot reach it by your wisdom alone; you also need the strength of the titans. If both the sides, the gods and the titans, come together and churn this ocean, you will receive the nectar of immortality as your portion and having that you would become invincible.’
“‘But won’t the titans too have it and become immortal and invincible,’ the gods expressed genuine concern.”
“The gracious Lord smiled reassuringly, ‘Leave that to me for eventually the titans and the gods both but obey the law of their nature. And unless the titans change themselves, they will be unable to have a portion of the nectar. Even after the long and difficult labour of the churning, there is the last test that would stand as a veil between them and the nectar, a veil they are unable to tear for they have not the knowledge.’”
“The gods started to return full of renewed hope. As they were preparing to go back to their world, the great Lord cautioned them, ‘But remember, before the nectar comes out, there will emerge out of this ocean, the deadliest of all poisons, kalakuta. Be not frightened for it must be thrown out as a preliminary purification before the nectar comes.’ He added, ‘And see that you covet nothing, let the Asuras have what they want for many beautiful gifts will emerge out of the churning. You keep your eyes fixed upon your goal, the nectar of immortality.’”
The Master paused for a moment and throwing a meaningful glance at the disciples added, “The gods returned full of hope and joy for that is the effect of the Lord’s presence and his reassurance.”
He continued as the disciples were all in rapt attention, “So the gods returned rejoicing. They also sent an emissary to the titans with a proposal for the joint venture of churning the ocean of knowledge for the nectar of immortality. The titans agreed after much discussion and debate. The two groups gathered near the ocean, the titans led by king Bali (a name that symbolizes strength) and the gods led by Indra (a name that symbolizes knowledge surpassing the senses). The mountain Mandara, (the embodiment of material consciousness) was placed at the centre of the ocean. Vasuki, the great serpent who represents the energy that labours in darkness at the root of the world, consented to become the rope that would be tied around the great mount. To prevent the mountain from sinking into the ocean, God Himself became a grant tortoise, kurmavatara, and held the mountain on his back.”
“Now the great effort began. To initiate the process, The Lord himself held Vasuki towards its mouth. The gods followed him as they always did. But the jealous Asuras took it as a prestige issue. Vain and ambitious, they wanted to be honoured first. So, they raised a hue and cry against the gods holding the mouth of the serpent Vasuki. The gods readily conceded and moved over to the tail-side. Little did the titans realise that Narayana, the Lord was being gracious towards them by holding the mouth. For as the churning proceeded the breath of the great serpent phew out poisonous fumes. But that turned out to be nothing compared to what was to come.”
“As the churning went on, suddenly, the air became full of stifling poison. So deadly was its effect that both the gods and the titans began to run helter-skelter to escape the poison. This indeed was Halahal, the bitterness and darkness buried in the subconscient parts of our nature. We must confront this one day and only after we are purged free of it that the gifts of the spirit can emerge.”
“But now, the poison threatened everything. What could be done? The air was full of anxiety and fear. But the great Lord smiled reassuringly and at his behest, these appeared on the horizons, the deathless Shiva, the eternal who takes back all things into him, for out of him they are born. In a mighty gesture of great compassion, Shiva took the whole poison in the hollow of his palm and drank it. Only a drop was left for the earth to bear. The rest stained his throat and thus, was he named ‘Neelkantha’, the poison-stain only enhancing his beauty and greatness.”
“The threat of the bitterest poison being over, the churning continued. Now it was the turn of the various gifts to emerge, the winged horse, Ucchaisravas, that Bali, the titan king, took away; Airavata, the snow-white seven tusked elephant that was given to the king of gods, Indra. Then there was the Jewel, Kaustubh mani, that adorned Narayana’s chest and Lakshmi of unparalleled beauty, charm and grace whom none deserved. She chose Lord Vishnu, the purest of all as her Lord and consort. At last came Varuni, with intoxicating eyes evoking desire in all. The titans wanted and received her.”
The Master paused for a while, as a disciple interrupted, “But what are these gifts, the flying horse, the seven-tusked elephant, are these not mere imaginations and myths, surely they do not exist?” The disciple looked puzzled as the Master resumed with a smile on his face, “And Kamdhenu, the cow who could grant any wish was given to the seers, engaged in various tapasyas, I forgot to mention her.”
The disciple interrupted again as if something flashed across his mind’s sky as a revelation, “Oh, I see, is that why you are able to grant our wishes? So the cow is the symbol of plenty.”
The Master smiled again, “Surely, not all wishes, for that will not be a wise thing to do. Granting all wishes may sometimes lead only to an increase of desire, laziness and even vanity. That is why she is given to the rishis who have mastered the art of self-control. The cow itself is a Vedic symbol for Light of knowledge, just as the horse is a symbol of force and elephant a symbol of prosperity and quiet strength. So, now you can see the truth behind the symbol.”
“Nevertheless, to resume the last and the most interesting part of the story, finally, and at last, there emerged the most handsome being, healthy and beautiful in every way, full of youthful energies, Dhanvantari, dressed in a light with a golden hue, carrying in both his hands a crystal bowl with a golden light around it. In that cup, there was concealed the most coveted of all boons, the nectar of immortality.”
“Now, as Dhanvantari appeared with the nectar, there was great jubilation around. But as they say, the real test, of character is when we are faced with the extremes of success or failure. Seeing the nectar, the titans completely forgot the joint venture and the pact. They rushed and, as is their nature, snatched the bowl by force and ran away to drink it themselves. But soon a fight ensued amongst themselves over who would be the first recipient. The gods watched all this with dismay and stunned as they were, and as is consistent with their nature, they turned to the great Lord with submission and prayer for help. The gracious Lord who is in all things, who has become the strength of the titans and the light of the gods, simply spread out his hand in a gesture of reassurance and vanished from their vision. They waited with hope and trust.”
“Meanwhile, the infighting amongst the titans continued. Being sons of darkness and division, they are ever quarrelling even between themselves. But as they were thus trying to snatch the bowl from the hands of each other, there appeared on the threshold of their sight, a form most beautiful to behold. A woman of endless charm appeared amidst them and the titans were as if hypnotized by her presence.”
“‘Who are you, O! Loveliest and fairest of all who beats all that we have seen or heard of until now?’ the titans inquired.”
“And the woman with a smile for which the triple worlds would be an easy price to pay said, ‘I am Viswa-Mohini, the most charming form that ever was made.’”
“‘Would you then do this for us?’ the titans asked entrusting the bowl and the nectar in her hand,
‘Would you distribute it to us? We will abide by whatever you decide.’”
“‘Are you sure?’ the charming woman sought to confirm, ‘The sages say that you must be careful in entrusting yourself to charming appearances.’”
“But the Titans were already blinded. Smitten by greed and lust, they joined in a burst of hideous laughter, ‘Ho, ho! The sages, who cares for what they say? They keep telling everyone to deny the very things that would give happiness, wealth, wine and woman. Ha, ha, ha! The sages, forget what they say, we will accept whatever, you decide for us.’”
“Lust had blinded their eyes and arrogance had fanned their vanity and false self-confidence.”
“The woman did not insist. She asked the titans to be seated to the left and the gods to the right. And as she passed in between the two rows, she kept pouring a bewitching smile to the titans and the nectar to the gods. The titans were still too dazed to take notice except one, Rahu, who saw the trick and changed sides. But even before he could drink the nectar, the woman changed her form and assuming the form of the great god Vishnu, cut off his head with the luminous discus, Sudarshana Chakra. But a drop had gone to the throat and Rahu’s head became immortal, a queer creature, half-titan and half-god, born out of a crucial last moment choice.”
“The titans felt cheated and rushed with all their force upon the gods who now, rejuvenated by the nectar, gave a good fight and sent them packing, back to their heels.”
“Frustrated, the titans returned, blaming the great god Vishnu and preparing themselves for another fight.”
“But the god within their hearts smiled. For truly they stood cheated by their own lustful and greedy nature. For such is the decree given of old!”
“They who abandon desire
Shall find the delight they seek through things
They who pursue and possess shall lose,
For such is the law given the man by the sages
To all claimants of immortality
A difficult task is this,
A labour dual and fierce
At the end of which
There still awaits a tremendous choice,
What do you seek for the nectar of delight
the cup of immortality?
If for thy ego, then thou must still wait.
But if for the growth of goodness, light and love
in earth and men
Then thou shalt strive rightly
And seek and possess.”
The Master had summed it up so beautifully. The lights were slowly falling low as the sunset was in sight. But the inner light had grown within the disciples, their sight widened to greater horizons.
They got up from their seats. It was time to light the fire.
Alok Pandey
