The churning
of the milk ocean first produced a deadly poison which
Shiva drank without being affected. As Shiva drank the
poison, a few drops fell from his hands and were licked
up by scorpions, snakes, and similar other deadly crea-tures.
After Shiva drank the poison, numerous opulent items
were produced. First a surabhi cow appeared, who could
yield unlimited quantities of milk. A white horse named
Uccaihsrava was then produced, as well as a white elephant
named Airavata. Then a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani
appeared.
Next came the apsaras, beautiful dancing
girls, and a host of other wonderful things appeared
from the milk ocean. At last a male person named Dhanvantari
appeared carrying the pot of immortal nectar in His
hands. Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar, both
the demigods and demons became anxious. The demigods,
being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank
their share of the nectar of immortality, forcibly seized
the pot.
Wherever the demigods went with the pot
of nectar, fierce fighting ensued. In an endeavor to
keep the nectar from falling into the hands of the demons,
the demigods hid it in four places on the earth, Prayag
(Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of
the hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar spilled
from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places
are since believed to have acquired mystical power.
Eventually, the demons overtiful woman,
Mohini-murti, and approached the demons. When the demons
saw the charming beauty of Mohini-murti, they lost all
composure. Seeing Her slender hips, raised breasts,
and pleasing smile, the demons completely forgot about
drinking the nectar of immortality. While the demons
were thus bewildered by Her beauty, Mohini-murti seized
the nectar and returned it to the demigods, who drank
it immediately.
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