Amṛtotpādanam (see
Amṛtam) — suggested by Hari-
Ajita to secure immortality for gods. It was to churn the
kṣīroda with Mandara as stick and Vāsuki as rope. The
Asuras agreed to aid the gods in securing
Amṛta. Hari took
hold at first of the head, and when the Asuras protested, of
the tail of Vāsuki. Seeing exhaustion on the part of gods
owing to obstacle of Vighneśa, Hari propped up the Mandara
hill, assuming the form of a tortoise. With continuous effort,
the churning went on. First appeared
Hālāhala which was
consumed by Śiva on an appeal from the Prajāpatis and with
the permission of Pārvatī. Then came out
Kāmadhenu which
sages appropriated for agnihotra;
Uccaiśśravas, a horse which
Bali took; then
Airāvata: Kaustubha gem appropriated by
Hari, then
Pārijāta, Apsaras women and then
Srī married to
Hari. Then came out
Vāruṇīdevī whom Asuras seized, then
Dhanvantari with a pot of
Amṛta. There was then a rush on
both sides to get the
Amṛta first when Hari assumed the
form of
Mohinī and arrested their attention. Moved by her
beauty, both gods and Asuras agreed to let her distribute the
Amṛta to all of them. She began with the gods and was
serving them first. Noticing this
Rāhu took the guise of a
god. On being pointed out by the sun and moon, Hari cut
off his head with his
Cakra. The Asuras found that they
had been deluded by Hari and set their face against Him.
See
Amṛtam. Bhā. VIII. 6. 21-25, 31-32. Ib. ch. 7-9 (whole); Ib. 10. 1.