Namaste and welcome to Simply Sanatan Stories Podcast
Today’s story is Kurma Avatar and Mohini. This story is from Vishnu Purana. Please note that dialogues between characters have been modified slightly for entertainment purposes.
One beautiful morning, Sage Durvasa came across a lady who was wearing a very beautiful garland of flowers. The sage politely praised the garland and asked if he could have it. She was kind and gave it to him. It put the sage in an upbeat mood. Further during his walk, 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 greeted Indra dev and put the garland around his neck.
In response,- Indra Dev put the garland on his elephant’s head who inturn removed it with his trunk, 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 so drunk and blinded by your luxuries that you disrespect my humble gift. I curse you! You will lose your splendor and wealth.”
Sage Durvasa’s curse frightened Indra Dev. Jumping off the elephant, he ran after the Sage, fell to his feet and pleaded “O Noble Sage! Please forgive me. I am very sorry. I have learnt my lesson. Please remove your curse.
But Durvasa Rishi just said “Forgiveness is not in my nature. So don’t bother apologizing”.
OOOOOOO That’s a cosmic Burn!!!!
Sage Durvasa’s curse was strong. Indra Dev lost his splendor, his strength and his wealth. As his strength waned so did that of other devatas. As the devatas weakened, asuras and daityas became stronger and more and more people gave up good virtues on earth and stopped following dharma. Since Goddess Lakshmi only resides where dharma is practiced she abandoned the people and began to live in the depths of the sea.
As is usually the case, when Indradev finds himself in trouble – he too like all of us approaches Lord Vishnu. He explained to the lord 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 other devatas.
Lord Vishnu listened to Indra carefully and said, “The only way to gain your strength is by drinking Amrit. To receive Amrit you must churn the Ocean. 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.” The 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. The 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 Rambha also appeared. So did Goddess Lakshmi who took Vishnu as her husband. In the end appeared Dhanvantri holding a pot of Amrit. As soon as the Asuras saw him they snatched the pot of Amrit and refused to share it with the devatas. Indra Dev was aghast but even before he could say a prayer a lady of unimaginable beauty appeared and walked towards the Asuras. The Asura king couldn’t take his eyes off her and asked “Who are you pretty lady”? she replied I am Mohini Oh King ….. pray tell me what is all the excitement about! The king boasted about having the amrit. She was very impressed and said “Oh King will you let me serve the amrit to you and your people?” He was delighted! Everyone then sat in a line. The devatas too (though uninvited) sat in a line across the asuras. Mohini began serving the Amrit. But…….. and here is the twister —- she only served the devatas!!!! She kept smiling enticingly and beautifully at the Asuras and while they were distracted by her smile ! she kept serving the amrit to the devatas! None of the asuras noticed this EXCEPT Rahu who quietly went and sat in the line of Devatas. Mohini who wasn’t looking at the devatas put some amrit in Rahu’s cup as well. As he was drinking it Surya Dev and Chandra Dev recognized him and called him out. Immediately Mohini beheaded Rahu and that’s when the Asuras realized they had been tricked by Lord Vishnu. Rahu had already sipped the amrit and a few drops had passed his throat. As a result though decapitated, he did not die !!! His body is what we call Ketu. This was the first time that Lord Vishnu took the form of a woman. There is another very entertaining story about her. But that is for another day!
That was the story of Kurma Avatar and Mohini based on Vishnu Purana. I hope you enjoyed it and if you would like to request a story or comment upon it post a comment below!
Thanks for Listening
