Srimad Bhagavatam – day 460
Trivikramāya namah
“Thereafter the Lord, deciding that the strength and energy of the demons should increase, entered into them in the form of passion (rajasic). Likewise in order to increase the strength and energy of the Devatas he entered into them in the form of divine pure energies. In the form of sleep, which is of the mode of ignorance (tamasic), he entered into the snake Vasuki.”
Vasuki remained alive solely because he was overcome by deep sleep. Else in the process of churning he would have suffered enormously.
“The Lord then manifested upon Mount Mandara in a form that was as huge as a mountain. With thousand arms he held the mountain ensuring that it did not sway violently during the process of churning. Seeing this from the skies, Lords Brahma, Śiva, Indra and others glorified the Lord and rained flowers upon Him.
In this way, the Supreme Lord Srihari simultaneously manifested on the top of the mountain in a huge form that had thousand-arms; below the mountain in the form of a gigantic tortoise; within the bodies of the Devatas-demons with their respective energies; in the form of stability within the Mount Mandara; and within Vasuki in the form of sleep. He enveloped everything. Taking great pride in their renewed energies, the Devatas and demons continued to churn the ocean fervently.
Due to the agitation caused in the waters, the bask of crocodiles was frightened and disturbed. The smoke and flames that emerged from the thousands of eyes and mouths of the thousand-headed snake Vasuki destroyed completely the lustre of the demons. Pauloma, Kāleya, Bali, Ilvala and other demon leaders resembled the ashen trees that had been burnt due to raging forest fire. Drained of all energies they remained helpless.
The flames that were emitted due to Vasuki’s breathing destroyed the radiance of all the Devatas as well. Their faces, armour, clothing and garlands all were covered with smoke. The Supreme Lord, who then retains the clouds under his control, showered torrential rains upon them all. Cool breeze blew upon the ocean waters renewing their energy.
Despite the unrelenting efforts of the Devatas and demons, nectar did not emerge. Then the Supreme Lord Ajita himself began to churn the ocean.
Lord Ajita, who was of bluish-black complexion, was wearing silken yellow clothing that glittered like gold. His earrings glittered like lightening. This Lord, who possessed shoulders that brought victory to the worlds filling them with fearlessness, now held the snake. When the Lord, using Mandara as the churning rod, began to churn the ocean, He shone like a precious mountain. The hair on the head of this Lord, who had adorned himself with a garland, was totally scattered. It was glowing brightly. His eyes were reddish.
When He was churning vigorously the fish, crocodiles, tortoises and snakes became extremely agitated and were thrown up. Whales, sharks, crocodiles and other huge aquatic animals were deeply agitated due to this turbulence. From the ocean which was being churned rapidly, the terrible poison called halāhala emerged.
It was impossible for anyone to withstand the intensity of this terrible poison! If the poison were to fall into the ocean, the entire ocean would be rendered poisonous. The poison began to spread rapidly in all directions enveloping everything above and below. Terrified of this poison all the Devatas and demons began to run in great fear, not finding anyone who could save them. All of them then, together with their leaders, approached Lord Śiva and sought shelter in him.
Seeking the well-being of all the three worlds, Lord Śiva the best among the Lords, resides upon Mount Kailaśa together with Mother Goddess Pārvati. He who is greatly revered by the Maharishis who seek liberation was immersed in deep meditation. Through this state of absolute meditation, this Lord, who is the bestower of liberation, was demonstrating to the great saints the method by which liberation could be obtained. All the Devatas and Prajapatis offered obeisance to Lord Śiva and prayed to him,
“Deva-deva mahā-deva bhūtātman bhūta-bhāvana
trāhi naḥ śaraṇāpannāṁs trailokya-dahanād viṣāt
O Mahadeva! You are the Lord of all Lords! You are the creator of all living entities. You reside within them in the form of the Self. O Lord we seek refuge in You”.
Nārayanaya namah