Table of Contents
vii
The Diplomatic Logic of the Snake and the Mouse  225    The Demigods and Demons Uproot Mandara Mountain  234    The Lord Transports Mandara Mountain  237
CHAPTER SEVEN
Lord Śiva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison
Chapter Summary  241    Demons Must Always Disagree with Demigods  243    The Appearance of Kūrma, the Tortoise Incarnation  248    The Supreme Lord, Ajita, Churns the Milk Ocean  255    The Demigods Offer Prayers to Lord Śiva  260    Inimitable Lord Śiva Reduces and Drinks the Poison  278
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Churning of the Milk Ocean
Chapter Summary  285    The Appearance of Lakṣmīdevī, the Goddess of Fortune  292    Lakṣmīdevī Chooses a Husband  302    Dhanvantari Appears, with a Jug of Nectar  312    The First Concern of a Nondevotee  317    The Mohinī Incarnation  321
Appendixes
The Author  325    References  327    Glossary  329    Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide  335    Index of Sanskrit Verses  337    General Index  347