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Shree Vallabha
A very iconic event of the Hindu Pantheon is the Samudra Manthan where two opposing entities, the Devas and the Asuras, worked together as Force and counter Force to extract Amrit, or the Nectar of Immortality, from the ocean of milk, or the Ksheer Sagar.
Amidst the series of events leading up to the revival of immortality, there is an incident that needs much attention in this modern era where ancient patriarchy, misogyny and inequality depicted in the Hindu mythology are always highlighted. This story focuses on the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. It has been written with the hope of breaking some prevailing notions or stereotypes about Indian Society and Hindu Mythology.
One day, Lord Indra was walking around the capital city of Swarga (the paradise where there is no shortage of luxury and ecstasy). Drenched in his own tranquillity on being the king of the Devas, the Hindu angels, he refused to greet Rishi Durvasa who had just arrived at his heavenly capital, Amravati. Even then, Rishi Durvasa, who was a highly reputed sage of that time, presented Indra with a beautiful garland that was acquired by him after great penance. However, Indra very arrogantly placed the garland on his royal white elephant, Airavat. The fragrance of the flowers in the garland irritated Airavat and in a fit of frenzy, the elephant threw it on the ground and crushed it.
Durvasa took this as a huge disrespect of his offering and himself, and cursed Indra and all the Devas by taking away their Amritva (immortality) and other divine powers. As the godly prosperity, Shree, disappeared from all the celestial realms, chaos ensued everywhere. The Asuras or demons, who were always looking for an opportunity to capture Amravati, finally got their chance.
The Devas went to Lord Brahma, their grandfather, for help. Brahma scolded Indra for his incompetence as a king at having lost Amravati to the Asuras and his lack of humility towards his subjects and great sages like Durvasa, but decided to help the Devas nevertheless. Lord Brahma directed them to go to Lord Vishnu for help.
And so, the sons of Aditi (Devas) reached Vaikuntha, the great cosmic realm above all the celestial realms in which Lord Vishnu resides. They found him sleeping on the magnanimous coils of a seraphic serpent called the Adi Anant Shesha. He was already aware of what had transpired and told the Devas that they had to work with the Asuras to get their powers back. All the Devas were left astonished at this statement and so he explained further, "You, the Adityas, and your half brothers, the Daityas, will have to perform the great cosmic churn, Samudra Manthan. Only that can restore all that you have lost, only...
Amidst the series of events leading up to the revival of immortality, there is an incident that needs much attention in this modern era where ancient patriarchy, misogyny and inequality depicted in the Hindu mythology are always highlighted. This story focuses on the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. It has been written with the hope of breaking some prevailing notions or stereotypes about Indian Society and Hindu Mythology.
One day, Lord Indra was walking around the capital city of Swarga (the paradise where there is no shortage of luxury and ecstasy). Drenched in his own tranquillity on being the king of the Devas, the Hindu angels, he refused to greet Rishi Durvasa who had just arrived at his heavenly capital, Amravati. Even then, Rishi Durvasa, who was a highly reputed sage of that time, presented Indra with a beautiful garland that was acquired by him after great penance. However, Indra very arrogantly placed the garland on his royal white elephant, Airavat. The fragrance of the flowers in the garland irritated Airavat and in a fit of frenzy, the elephant threw it on the ground and crushed it.
Durvasa took this as a huge disrespect of his offering and himself, and cursed Indra and all the Devas by taking away their Amritva (immortality) and other divine powers. As the godly prosperity, Shree, disappeared from all the celestial realms, chaos ensued everywhere. The Asuras or demons, who were always looking for an opportunity to capture Amravati, finally got their chance.
The Devas went to Lord Brahma, their grandfather, for help. Brahma scolded Indra for his incompetence as a king at having lost Amravati to the Asuras and his lack of humility towards his subjects and great sages like Durvasa, but decided to help the Devas nevertheless. Lord Brahma directed them to go to Lord Vishnu for help.
And so, the sons of Aditi (Devas) reached Vaikuntha, the great cosmic realm above all the celestial realms in which Lord Vishnu resides. They found him sleeping on the magnanimous coils of a seraphic serpent called the Adi Anant Shesha. He was already aware of what had transpired and told the Devas that they had to work with the Asuras to get their powers back. All the Devas were left astonished at this statement and so he explained further, "You, the Adityas, and your half brothers, the Daityas, will have to perform the great cosmic churn, Samudra Manthan. Only that can restore all that you have lost, only...
