The Asuras held
the head end and the Devas the tail end of Vasuki.
They then vigorously churned the ocean.
As they churned, a deadly poison known as Halahala arose from the ocean.It started making people giddy. Soon it became clear that it would
destroy the whole universe. Panic-stricken, the Devas and Asuras hurried to the God Siva
and begged him to save them from the poison.
God Siva immediately took it and swallowed it. Mother
Parvati gripped His throat tight and prevented the poison from trickling down. If thus
stuck in his throat and his throat became blue.
That is why Siva is also called Neelakantha.
"Kantha’ means throat.
Both sides then returned to continue with the churning. |
