Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 2.djvu/63

 Chap. II.] HINDOO MYTHOLOGY. 27

the ocean like a pot of milk. The Suras, a kind of demigods, and the Asuras, a.d. - a race of gigantic demons resembling the Titans, were to be the churners, and the implement was a mountain named Mandar. For this purpose it was lifted Thmi avatar out of its place, with all its forests and streams, and rested for support on the back of the king of the tortoises, who it seems was none else than Vishnu. The chm-ning shaft was thus provided, but another difficulty remained. How was it to be worked ? The device fallen upon was to employ the huge serpent Vasuki as a rope. By twisting it round the mountain, while the Asuras and Suras pulled alternately at the head and tail, a circidar motion was given, and the churning process commenced. Meanwhile, a continued stream of lire, smoke, and wind was belched forth by the serpent, the forests of the mountain were ^vl'apped in jflames, and its numerous products — vegetable, mineral, and appa- rently animal also, carried down by a heavy shower which the lord of the firmament sent down to quench the conflagration — mingled with tlie milk of the ocean. The butter formed was thus a very heterogeneous compound, which yielded among other extracts the amrita, destined thenceforth to be the favourite beverage of the gods. The good obtained was not unmingled with evil. The venomous breath of the serpent tainted the ocean butter, and a pestilential stench proceeding from it threatened to make the world unhabit- able. This fatahty Avas only escaped by the aid of Siva, who at the command of Brahma swallowed the drug. The amrita itself was next in danger, for the Asuras had seized it, and were resolved to keep it to themselves. Its recovery was due to Yishnu, who assumed the form of a beautiful female, and so fasci- nated the Asuras by her charms, that they voluntarily placed it in her hands. Thereafter a dreadful battle ensued, but the Asuras were defeated mainly by the prowess of Vishnu, to whose keeping the amrita has in consequence been intrusted.

The fourth, or Nara-Singh avatar took place under the followiug circum- Fourth stances. The giant who binied the earth at the bottom of the sea was suc- ceeded by a younger brother named Hiranyacasipa, who resembled him in all his worst qualities, and in particular refused to do homage to Vishnu. His son Praulhaud was, however, of a very different temper, and for expressing dis- approbation of his father's conduct was banished, after narrowly escaping with his life. A reconciliation having afterwards taken place, the subject of Vishnu's supremacy was discussed between them. Hiranyacasipa persisting in his impiety asserted that Vishnu was in no respect greater than himself, and when Praulhaud, on the contrary, maintained that Vishnu was supreme over all, and present everywhere, tauntingly asked, "Is he in this pillar? (striking it with his sceptre) ; if he be, let him appear." The moment the words were spoken the pillar burst in twain, and Vishnu issuing from it in the form of a man with a lion's head tore the impious monarch in pieces, and placed Praulhaud on the throne.