Chapter 12 - Devas Taste the Divine Nectar

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Notes: This chapter describes how Asuras were cheated by Viṣṇu by assuming the form of an enchantress and were deprived of their share of Amṛta.

Lomaśa said:

1. After bowing down to Janārdana, the Supreme Being, along with Ramā, the groups of Suras and Asuras once again churned the ocean for the sake of Nectar.

2. From the ocean that was being churned, came out a youthful person of very great fame, well-known as Dhanvantari.^[1] He was the great conqueror of Mṛtyu (Death).

3-4. He held in his hands a pot filled with nectar. While all Suras were (gladly) looking at the fascinating Lord Dhanvantari, Daityas wanted to attack him in a body and snatch away the pot (of nectar) that had been held in the hands of Dhanvantari.

5. The excellent physician surrounded by a series of waves was advancing slowly when he was seen by Vṛṣaparvan.

6. The pot that was in his hand was forcibly taken by him (Vṛṣaparvā). Thereupon, Asuras roared in a terrific manner.

7. Seizing and taking the pot filled with nectar, the impatient Daityas came down to Pātāla. Then Devas became confused and embarrassed.

8. They (Devas) who were well-prepared and ready for a battle, pursued them with a desire to fight. Turning towards Devas, Bali spoke thus:

Bali said:

9. O Devas, we are contented and gratified with the nectar only. You excellent Suras do go back quickly.

10. Please go back to Triviṣṭapa (Heaven) joyously. Of what avail are we to you? Formerly we entered into a friendly alliance with you only because we wanted to realize our common objectives. Now it has been known to you. Do not have any doubt in it hereafter.

11. Thus rebuked and repulsed by Bali, those excellent Suras went back to Lord Nārāyaṇa along the path by which they had come.

12. On meeting him, all the Suras whose desires were frustrated, were consoled by Viṣṇu with various kinds of words capable of pacifying them:

13-14. “In this matter, do not be afraid unnecessarily. I shall bring back the nectar”, said Lord Viṣṇu, the refuge of those who are helpless. The slayer of Madhu (Viṣṇu) having asked all the Suras to stay there itself, assumed the form of a charming lady, Mohinī, and appeared before Daityas.

15. By that time Daityas had become highly excited and agitated. They spoke to one another (about this). For the sake of nectar, all the Daityas began arguing with one another.

16-17. While this was going on, fortunately they saw a woman fascinating the minds of all living beings (who had assumed the form of Mohinī). They were struck with wonder and with covetous eyes (they staled at her). Honouring her, Bali, the king of Daityas, said:

Bali said:

18. O highly fortunate lady, this nectar should be (properly) distributed by you, so that it can reach all. Be quick about it. Do as I request.

19. On being requested thus, she smilingly said to Bali: “Women should never be trusted by a wise man.^[2]

20. The following are the inherent natural defects of women: Falsehood, daring, deception, foolishness, excessive greed, uncleanliness and ruthlessness.

21. Lack of genuine affection as well as mischievous cunningness should also be known as existing in them, in fact. These defects should undoubtedly be known as existing (even) in one’s own wives.

22. Just as wolves among beasts of prey, crows among birds and foxes among wild animals are given to killing, so also women among human beings should always be understood by the wise as exceedingly mischievous and cunning.

23. How can there be friendship and alliance between me and you all. Should this not be considered? Who are you and who am I?

24. Hence everything should be done by you after careful consideration with your keen intellect. Of course, you are very efficient in knowing what should be done and what should not be done, O excellent Asuras.”

Bali said:

25-26. The women mentioned by you are the uncivilized ones of the rural area. They have no culture and they are the favourites of the vulgar and the rustic people. But, O splendid lady, you are not one among those women mentioned (by you). Why do you talk much? Do according to our directions.

After Bali had spoken, Mohinī said this:

27-29. “O lord, I shall follow your instructions whether they are good or bad.”

Bali said:

Today distribute the nectar among all in a befitting manner. We shall take what is given by you. It is true. I am speaking the truth.

On being told thus, goddess Mohinī who was auspicious in every respect, spoke to all the Asuras desirous of following the conventional propriety:

The Lord (i.e. Mohinī) said:

30-32. By a stroke of good luck, all of you have become blessed and achieved your desired objective, O excellent Asuras. Do observe fast today and let the preliminary consecratory rite of the nectar be performed. Something is yet (to be observed) with a desire for your welfare. Tomorrow you can have the Pāraṇā (ceremonial breakfast). Your desire for observances and worships (is commendable). For the sake of propitiating Īśa, the Viniyoga (ceremonious disposal) rite should be performed by an intelligent (devotee) with a tenth part of the amount legally and justifiably earned by him.

33. Saying “So be it”, they all honoured whatever was said by Devamāyā. Deluded and not being very proficient and experienced, they did everything advised by Devamāyā.

34. Very big, fascinating, lustrous and rich mansions were built by the Asura, Maya.

35. They sat in those abodes after taking bath and adorning themselves befittingly. Excited much, they placed the full pot (of nectar) in front of themselves.

36. With very great joy, all of them kept vigil during the night. At dawn, they engaged themselves in taking early morning ablutions.

37. After finishing all necessary daily routine duties, Asuras, the chief of whom was Bali, sat in rows in due order. They were eager to drink (the nectar).

38-41. The following were the important ones among Daityas etc.: Bali, Vṛṣaparvan, Narauci, Śaṅkha, Sudaṃṣṭra, Saṃhlādī, Kālanemi, Vibhīṣaṇa, Vātāpi, Ilvala, Kuṃbha, Nikuṃbha, Pracchada, Sunda, Upasunda, Niśuṃbha, Śuṃbha, Mahiṣa, Mahiṣākṣa, the valorous Biḍālākṣa, the mighty-armed Cikṣura, Jṛṃbhaṇa, Vṛṣāsura, Vibāhu, Bāhuka, Ghora, Ghoradarśana, Rāhu and Ketu. These and many other Daityas, Dānavas and Rākṣasas sat there in due order.

42-43. There were rows and rows of those Daityas numbering crores and crores. Now, O Brāhmaṇas, listen to what happened thereafter and what great things were done by that goddess in the matter regarding (the distribution of) the nectar.

44-45. All were informed by her immediately (to be ready). She took up the pot. That Viśvumohinī was endowed with the greatest splendour. The goddess appeared splendid with the pot resting in her hands. The (goddess) conducive to the auspiciousness of all auspicious things in the universe shone with the greatest lustre.

46. At the very same instant, all the Suras who had halos around them, came to the place where those excellent Asuras were present.

47. On seeing them, Mohinī, the most excellent one among young women, said immediately:

Mohinī said:

48. These (people) should be known as guests. They are conducive to the accomplishment of every thing virtuous. If you keep the promise given to me, something should be given to these in accordance with your capacity. You are the authority in this regard. Do everything now. Do not delay.

49. Those who render help to others in accordance with their capacity are blessed ones. They should be known to be very pure and protectors of the worlds.

50-51. Those who endeavour only for (filling in) their belly should be known as destined to suffer. There is no doubt about this. Hence, O (friends) of auspicious rites, this should be divided by me. You give Devas whatever you like or dislike.

52. When these words were spoken by the goddess, the energetic and alert Asuras did so. The Asuras invited all Devas including Vāsava.

53. All of them sat, O Brāhmaṇas, for the sake of receiving the nectar. While they were occupying their seats, Mohinī who was conversant with all holy rites and virtuous acts, smilingly said to the Asuras these great words:

Mohinī said:

54-55. The Vedic Text prescribes that the guests should be honoured at the very outset. Hence, you who axe all devoted to the gods and the Vedas speak out immediately. So whom shall I give the nectar at the very outset? Indeed, let those whose leader is Bali, let those persons of exalted fortune say.

56. Then the goddess was told by Bali. “(Do) what appeals to your mind. O lady of beautiful face, you are our mistress. There is no doubt about it.”

57-58. On being honoured thus by that Bali of pure soul, the goddess hurriedly took up the pot for the purpose of serving.

A silk cloth shone over her thighs resembling the trunk of a royal elephant. She walked rather slowly on account of the (huge) buttocks. Her limbs were agitated and excited due to inebriation. With the tinkling of the golden anklets, she appeared to be cooing (like a cuckoo). Her breasts resembled pitchers. With the pot (of nectar) in her hand, she entered (the place where they were seated).

59-60. Then the goddess Mohinī proceeded serving the group of Devas directly. She showered on Devas the juice of the nectar again and again as though their sole diet consisted of this nectar. The groups of Devas, the chief among whom was Devendra, and the groups of Gandharvas, Yakṣas and celestial damsels along with Guardians of the Quarters swallowed again and again the juice of nectar served by that great (goddess) of cosmic form.

61. All Daityas, the chief among whom was Bali, O leading Brāhmaṇas, continued to be seated there. They were anxious and afflicted with hunger. The resolute Daityas kept quiet and were engaged in meditation.

62 -63. On seeing those Daityas in such a plight after resorting to a delusion, the two leading Daityas Rāhu and Ketu assumed the forms of Devas and hurriedly sat in the row of Devas for receiving the nectar.

64-65. The exceedingly invincible Rāhu was desirous of drinking the nectar. When this was reported to Viṣṇu of unmeasured splendour by the Sun and the Moon, the head of Rāhu of deformed body was cut off. The head went up into the sky. The headless body dropped down on the earth. Rolling down, it crushed many mountains into small particles.

66-68. The entire world including the mountains was reduced to fine dust. On seeing that the entire universe consisting of mobile and immobile beings was smashed to fragments by her (i.e. Mohinī) through that body (of Rāhu), Mahādeva stood above it. The abode of all Devas was at the soles of her feet. The affliction (?) was near her, hence the name Nivāsa^[3] (abode) (obscure).

69. Since her lotus-like feet had been the abode (ālaya) of great ones (mahatām), the enchantress of the three worlds became reputed as Mahālayā.

70. Ketu vanished into the sky in the form of smoke. It was after handing over the nectar to the Moon that he vanished thus.

71. Vāsudeva is the origin of the universe. He is the supreme cause of all the worlds. It was due to Viṣṇu’s grace that everything took place favouring the realization of Devas’ objectives.

72. Since the fate was adverse, the enterprise of Mohinī was conducive to the destruction of Asuras. Understand that all exertions without (favourable) fate are useless.

73. The churning of the ocean was conducted by all of them simultaneously. But, it ended in the success of Devas, while Asuras failed (in their objective).

74. Therefore, they were furious at the excellent Devas. Daityas who were deluded took up many weapons and missiles. When Viṣṇu went away they began to roar.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Dhanvantari: Mbh, Ādi 18.38 also states that Dhanvantari came out of ocean along with a pot of Amṛta. He is regarded as an incarnation of Viṣṇu. This divine physician Dhanvantari is different from Dhanvantari, the physician-king of Vārāṇasī. He learnt Āyurveda from sage Bharadvāja and composed a systematic work of eight parts on Āyurveda and taught it to different disciples (BdP II.3, 67.1-24).

[2]:

These traditional verses are meant for creating disaffection about Saṃsāra. Mohinī (Viṣṇu) cleverly uses them to create confidence about her in the gullible Asuras. The whole chapter shows how Mohinī cunningly appeals to the noble qualities of Asuras and cheats them.

[3]:

The name Nivāsa reminds one of Nevāsā, a village in Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra where the incident is traditionally said to have taken place. There is an old temple of Mohinī (Mahālasā, Oyā). Archaeologically that is a very ancient site in Maharashtra. If the conjecture be correct, the author might have probably belonged to this part of the country. But vv 66-68 mention the name of Somanātha (Saurashtra).