What is Churning of the Ocean?
[[File:Dasavatara2.png|thumb|Churing of The Ocean]] '''Churning of the Ocean''' is a [[Mythology|mythical]] [[story]] of [[Hinduism]] and [[Hindu mythology]]. It is described in many [[Hindu scriptures]], especially in the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Puranas]]. The story tells about the [[churn]]ing of the [[ocean]] by the [[Deity|gods]] and the [[demon]]s. From this churning of the ocean, several things came out of the ocean. Some of them were: #[[Surabhi]]: She was a [[cow]]. She was called the cow of plenty. #[[Varuni]]: He was the [[deity|goddess]] of [[wine]]. #[[Parijata]]: It was a [[tree]]. The story tells that this tree granted all the [[wish]]es of the person standing below it. #[[Apsaras]]: They were beautiful women. They would never grow old. They used to [[dance]] in the [[court]] of [[Indra]], a god of the [[Indo-Aryan]] period. #The [[moon]]: The Hindu [[scripture]]s name the moon as the Chandra. It rose from the ocean when the gods and the demons were churning the ocean. #[[Kalakuta]]: It was a [[wikt:danger|dangerous]] [[poison]]. When it came out of the ocean, [[Shiva]] drank it. #[[Dhanvantari]]: He was the first [[physician]] of [[Ayurvedic system]] of [[medicine]] and [[medication]]. #[[Lakshmi]]: She came out of the ocean seated on a [[Nelumbo|lotus]]. She is a goddess of Hindus. #Uchchaishravas: It was a [[horse]] with seven [[head]]s. The [[legend]] states that it pulls the [[chariot]] of the [[sun]]-god, [[Surya]]. #Airavata: It was a three-headed [[elephant]]. It was taken by Indra. #Kaustuba: It was a very [[important]] [[gem]]. God [[Vishnu]] kept it. The Hindu scriptures and the Hindu mythology tell that all the above things came out of the ocean for the good of [[human]] beings. ==References== *''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' ({{ISBN|0500510881}}) by Anna Dallapiccola {{religion-stub}} [[Category:Hindu mythology]]