Chapter 13 - Gods Drink the Nectar

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Skaṇḍa said:

1. All the participants in churning who were seeing the emergence of Dhanvantari (with the pitcher of Amṛta), saw from a distance Dhanvantari coming near Śrī.

2. Seeing the gold pitcher containing Nectar being held in his hand, the Asuras suddenly pounced on it, and snatched it away, O Brāhmaṇa.

3. Out of them, those who were powerful (enough) seized it, and ran off with it. The weaker ones, running after them, protested in the name of decorum and manner of proper behaviours (as follows):

4. “Oh! Such unrighteous and wicked deed should not be committed by righteous-mided persons. It (the Nectar) should be drunk after giving it to Devas, the equal partners in the labour (of churning out Nectar) and not otherwise.”

5. Disregarding that speech (appeal), they quickly ran far away. Even there, they were forcibly pulling each other’s hands (for securing the Nectar).

6. While they were proclaiming and crying about “I am the first and not you”, “I am the first, not you”, “I shall drink it (first)”, they did not get the opportunity to drink.

7. Then, on seeing the Nectar snatched away by the Daityas, Devas became pale-faced. Being incapable of preventing them, they sought refuge in Acyuta.

8-9. “Protect us, O Lord of the world; do protect us. All our possessions are destroyed. AH the Nectar has been taken away by Daityas. What shall be our fate? Even without imbibing Nectar, they are sufficiently capable of killing us. If the Nectar is drunk by them today, what shall we do?”

Skanda said:

10. Having heard the pitiable condition of the Devas, the Lord who performs the tasks of his devotees, told the Suras, “Don’t be afraid” and was intent to take back the Nectar from Asuras.

11. After assuming a marvellously beautiful feminine form that enchanted all the world, he approached the Daityas and played with a ball.^[1]

12. Seeing that beautiful form, they were fascinated and were overwhelmed with the passion of love. Giving up their mutual struggle, they approached and spoke:

13. “O blessed lady! Take this pitcher of Nectar and distribute it amongst us. We are the sons of Kaśyapa; O lady with beautiful buttocks, make us all drink it (Nectar).”

14-15. Requesting her thus, they handed it over to the lady who was reluctant. She spoke, “No faith should be entertained in me, as I am a self-willed (i.e. wanton) woman. You have done an improper act. I shall, however, distribute it as per my will.” Though she told them so, those stupid ones said, “Do as you please”.

16. Then in compliance of her order, Devas, Daityas, Vāsuki sat there in rows, each keeping with his particular group.

17. While they were arranging themselves into groups, Mohinī sat on a golden seat at a distance, facing the rows of gods.

18. Keeping the pitcher of Nectar near her, she, casting her glances here and there in a woman’s sportive way, sat for a moment like an indifferent, impartial person.

19. The leaders of Dānava group, of whom Vipracitti was prominent, were suspicious in their minds about Mohinī and hence they seated themselves near the Devas.

20. Approaching quietly and evading deceitfully her glance, the wicked-souled ones carried away the pitcher of Nectar again and were desirous of drinking it in a secret place.

21. Nara and Nārāyaṇa came there accompanied by sages. Both of them saw the Dānavas stealing away the Nectar.

22. Instructed by Nārāyaṇa, Nara at once stopped them.^[2] Snatching away per force that pitcher, he quickly handed it over to Mohinī.

23. Then with a desire to kill Nara, Dānavas took up their arms and attacked him. There was thus a great disorder in the ranks of Asuras.

24. Thereupon, the powerful Lord Nara, the fearless one, unconquerable by Devas, Daityas and human beings, single-handedly fought with them.

25. In the meanwhile Viṣṇu who had assumed the form of Mohinī went about quickly and made all the Devas who were sitting in rows, drink the Nectar.

26. Even then Rāhu, a Dānava, entered (the unoccupied place) in between the Sun and the Moon and sat in the row of the Devas, without being noticed by anyone.

27. When Mohinī came sprinkling the Nectar in his (Rāhu’s) mouth, both the Sun and the Moon indicated it to her by the glance of their eyes.

28. Therefore, the Lord who had assumed the highly illusory form of a woman, cut down his head containing Nectar (within his mouth) by his discus, which came there as soon as remembered.

29. Hari established it (Rāhu’s head) in the planetary position, for the peace of the people, as that mountain-like head was swallowing people while shouting loudly.

30. After having made Suras drink the Necṭar, he assumed his male body. The Lord and the Devas fought with Dānavas.

31. On the shore of the Ocean there took place the battle of Devas who grew extremely powerful by imbibing Nectar, and were helped by Viṣṇu, with Asuras.

32. In that tumultuous battle, the Asuras who were being killed by Nara, Indra and others, fled away and entered the earth (nether world).

33. When the Sun set, all the multitudes of Devas came near Śrī and had a great joy at her sight.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This is Mohinī, the 13th incarnation of Viṣṇu, who deluded the Asuras, refusing them their share in Amṛta and distributing it among Devas.

[2]:

According to Mbh, Ādi 19.19-31, Nara helped Devas in fighting against Asuras after Devas drank Amṛta. Post-Amṛta-drinking fight by Nara is also mentioned in v 32 below.