One beautiful morning, Sage Durvasa was in an upbeat mood. He was returning from a visit to Lord Vishnu whose darshan always filled him with a sense of hope for the world. On his walk back home he came across Indra the king of Devatas. Indra Dev was sitting on Airavat (his elephant). People from his court were following him, playing beautiful music for his entertainment. Sage Durvasa felt a rush of appreciation for Indra who kept everything in natural order of things as per Lord Vishnu’s command. He raised his hand in greeting and offered the garland to him.
“O Indra Dev you deserve this garland gifted to me by Lord Vishnu,” exclaimed the great sage. In response, Indra Dev reluctantly bent down to receive the gift. He then gave it to Airavat (his elephant) who threw it on the ground and stepped on it. Sage Durvasa’s eyes turned red with anger. He pointed at Indra Dev cursing him, “Indra! You have become too arrogant blinded by your power. You have forgotten common courtesy. In your arrogance you even disrespect a gift from My Lord Vishnu. I curse you! You and all other Devatas will lose your strength.” Sage Durvasa’s curse frightened Indra Dev. Jumping off the elephant, he ran after him. He fell on his knees and pleaded “O Noble Sage! Please forgive me. In my arrogance I insulted you and Lord Vishnu. I am very sorry. I have learnt my lesson. Please remove your curse from me and all other Devatas.” Durvasa coldly explained, “A curse once given cannot be taken back or removed Indra. If you are sorry then go to Lord Vishnu and plead his forgiveness. He alone can help you.” Sage Durvasa’s curse was strong and its effect immediate. Devatas lost their strength even before Indra’s conversation with Sage Durvasa ended. After the sage left, Indra Dev and other Devatas went to Lord Vishnu. Indra Dev explained how he had insulted Sage Durvasa and earned the curse. He asked for Lord Vishnu’s forgiveness and then begged him to help him and the Devatas.
Lord Vishnu listened to Indra carefully. He then half closed his eyes and said, “The only way to gain your strength is by drinking Amrit. To receive Amrit you must churn the Ocean of milk. Since you don’t have strength to do it alone, request the Asuras to help you. Many treasures will emerge from the churning. Promise them that Asuras will have first right to choose from all that appears. Use the Meru Mountain as the churning rod and serpent king Vasuki as the rope.”
Indra stared at the smiling Lord for a few moments and then exclaimed in a weak voice, “Lord! Even if we are able to churn the Ocean the Asuras will grab the Amrit, become immortal and destroy us all!” Lord Vishnu raised his palm and said “Do not worry, you follow the plan I have given you and I will take care of the rest.” Devatas bowed their heads and sent an ambassador to the Asuras seeking their help. Tempted by the promise of Amrit, Asuras did not need to think twice. Together, Devatas and Asuras dug up Mount Meru. However, they could not pick it up. Devatas under Durvasa’s curse were too feeble to pick it up. The Asuras picked it up but no more than for a minute. Many Asuras were crushed under its weight and died. Not knowing what else to do, Devatas prayed to Garuda, vehicle of Lord Vishnu for help. Garuda carried the mountain on his back and placed it on the ocean bed. More than half of the mountain sunk in water but the peak still rose above the ocean surface. Vasuki wrapped himself around the mountain. Devatas held its tail, Asuras chose its mouth and the churning began. They had to stop as soon as they began because the mountain started to sink into the ocean bed. Nobody knew what to do and the churning stopped. Asuras blamed devatas for poor planning and were ready to start fighting. Indra Dev prayed to Lord Vishnu for guidance and help. Lord Vishnu appeared and said “I will take the form of a Turtle (Kurma) and support Meru on my back while you churn the ocean”. Devatas and asuras cheered as he appeared in the form of a turtle (Kurma) under Mount Meru. The churning began and this time Meru churned the water creating large waves. In time several treasures like divine weapons and precious gems appeared. Divine artists Apsara and Rambha also appeared. So did Goddess Lakshmi who took Vishnu as her husband. In the end appeared Dhanvantri holding a pot of Amrit. That is however a different story for a different time.