Synopsis

The deities and demons gathered for the churning of the cosmic ocean, the Samudra Manthan. Lord Brahma entreated Lord Vishnu to assume the form of a turtle, the Kurma avatar, and commence the churning. Vasuki, the serpent king, became the rope for the churning, and Mandar Parvat served as the churn staff. Lord Indra, ever resourceful, devised a cunning strategy. The demons found the task arduous as Vasuki began to exhale flames. A wave of poison spread through the gathering, and both gods and de