CHAPTER EIGHT

The Churning of the Milk Ocean

This chapter describes how the goddess of fortune appeared during the
churning of the ocean of milk and how she accepted Lord Visnu as her
husband. As described later in the chapter, when Dhanvantari appeared
with a pot of nectar the demons immediately snatched it from him, but
Lord Visnu appeared as the incarnation Mohini, the most beautiful
woman in the world, just to captivate the demons and save the nectar for
the demigods. —

After Lord Siva drank all the poison, both the demigods and demons
took courage and resumed their activities of churning. Because of this
churning, first a swrabhi cow was produced. Great saintly persons ac-
cepted this cow to derive clarified butter from its milk and offer this
clarified butter in oblations for great sacrifices. Thereafter, a horse
named Uccaihsrava was generated. This horse was taken by Bali
Maharaja. Then there appeared Airavata and other elephants that could
go anywhere in any direction, and she-elephants also appeared. The gem
known as Kaustubha was also generated, and Lord Visnu took that gem
and placed it on His chest. Thereafter, a pdarijdta flower and the Apsaras,
the most beautiful women in the universe, were generated. Then the
goddess of fortune, Laksmi, appeared. The demigods, great sages,
Gandharvas and others offered her their respectful worship. The goddess
of fortune could not find anyone to accept as her husband. At last she
selected Lord Visnu to be her master. Lord Visnu gave her a place to stay
everlastingly at His chest. Because of this combination of Laksmi and
Narayana, all who were present, including the demigods and people in
general, were very pleased. The demons, however, being neglected by
the goddess of fortune, were very depressed. Then Varuni, the goddess
of drinking, was generated, and by the order of Lord Visnu the demons
accepted her. Then the demons and demigods, with renewed energy,
began to churn again. This time a partial incarnation of Lord Visnu
called Dhanvantari appeared. He was very beautiful, and he carried a jug
containing nectar. The demons immediately snatched the jug from

285
