What is Kshir Sagar Manthan? How did it happen?

Answer 1

In Hinduism, Samudra manthan or The churning of the ocean of milk is one of the most famous episodes in the Puranas and is celebrated in a major way every twelve years in the festival known as Kumbha Mela. The story is related in the Srimad Bhagavatam, a major work that describes the avataras in great detail.

Samudra manthan is also known as —

* Samudra manthanam — Manthanam is the Sanskrit equivalent of Manthan meaning 'to churn'.
* Sagar manthan — Sagar is another word for Samudra, both meaning an ocean or large water body.
* Ksheersagar manthan — Ksheersagar literally means the ocean of milk. Ksheersagar = Ksheer (milk) + Sagar (ocean).

The story of Samudra manthan

The great leader of the Devas, Indra was riding on his elephant when he came across Durvasa Muni. Seeing Indra, Durvasa offered him a special garland (mala). Indra accepted this garland and put it on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant threw the garland onto the floor, thus enraging Durvasa Muni. In a fit of anger, the sage explained that the garland was the dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was therefore to be treated as prasada. He therefore cursed Indra and all the Devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.

In the ensuing battles, the Devas were defeated in battle and the asuras (demons) headed by Bali gained control of the universe. The Devas sought out the help of Lord Vishnu, who instructed them in the art of diplomacy. The Devas then entered into an alliance with the asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. Of course, the Devas were told by Vishnu that He would arrange for them alone to obtain the nectar, which would empower them to defeat the asuras.

All kinds of herbs were cast into the milk ocean. Many great beings and objects were produced from the ocean and were accepted by various demigods as offerings. Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, appeared from the ocean towards the end and Vishnu and she were reunited after having been separated for many ages.

http://www.answers.com/topic/samudra-manthan

Answer 2

Kshira is milk so ocean of milk, manthan is churning so it is -

Kshira Sagara Manthan or Samudra manthan or "the churning of the ocean of milk" is an interesting legend. In the ancient times, the Devas were mortal. Their enemies were the Asuras. One day, the King of the Devas, Indra was riding his elephant when he came upon sage Durvasa. The sage decided to honor Indra by giving him a scented garland. Indra took the garland, but placed it on the forehead of his elephant. The elephant was irritated by the scent and threw the garland off, then trampling on it. The angry sage gave Indra a curse that he and the Devas would begin to lose all their energy and power. In due course, the Devas started to lose in war against the asuras. Indra was advised to perform Samudra manthan in order to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality) which he and the other Devas could drink and thus be able to defeat the asuras.
The Devas feared that the Asuras would take over the whole world. Therefore, they prayed to Brahma, who suggested a solution: churn the Ocean of Milk in order to obtain the Nectar of Immortality. However, the Devas could not churn the Ocean themselves. They struck a temporary truce with their enemies so that all could participate in the churning.
The Ocean was churned by using the mountain Mandara and the snake Vasuki wrapped around it. Each side would hold an end of the snake and pull on it alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn would cause the Ocean to be churned.

This is in Kurma avathar of Lord Maha Vishnu

Answer 3

In Srimad Bhagavatam, there is description that just as this world of ours have ocean of Salt Water, similarly there are planets where there is ocean made of Differenet Liquids. In this world we also have Ocean of Fuel Oil underground.

In the Planet of Vishnu known as Svetadwipa, that is above Brahma-Loka there is simillarly Ocean of Milk. Kshir Sagar means Ocean of Milk.

In Srimad Bhagavatam it is mentioned ...
"In this sixth manvantara millennium, Lord Viñëu, the master of the universe, appeared in His partial expansion. He was begotten by Vairäja in the womb of his wife, Devasambhüti, and His name was Ajita." 8.9.5. "By churning the ocean of milk, Ajita produced nectar for the demigods. In the form of a tortoise, He moved here and there, carrying on His back the great mountain known as Mandara."8.9.10.

The description of Churning of The Milk Ocean is given in great details in Srimad Bhagavatam Starting Canto 8 Chapter 5.
You can read it online at
http://vedabase.net/sb/8/en

You can read other books on similar topic at
http://www.krishna.com/main.php?id=33

Answer 4

Thanks Jayaraman. .it was beautiful mythological explanation !!

My 2 cents.. the philosophical meaning of this episode is that the Devas in us (good vrittis)..start churning the nadis with pranayama...Kundalini shakti is awakened and it gives us the true knowledge that we become immortal.

Kshir-sagar is here Muladhara chakra and kundalini is nectar... and if our bad vrittis (asura) wish to take that energy for their use...God intervenes and helps the devas in us