Instead of insipid blogs, I have decided to explore the rich Indian mythology and explain it through the eyes of Garuda.....the eagle god......who impressed Vishnu by his prowess.....
Why garuda ?? would be a valid question.....but imagine to be tethered to the supreme god vishnu and still not be able to merge with him.......must be killing him :P.....to reduce his agony , I dedicate the observations made by me to Garuda......:P
Lets look at what the ancients tried to convey through "samudra Manthan"....
The story begins with Indra being cursed by Durvasa for being indifferent towards his gift to Indra.....symbolising that every change or strenuous activity has its roots in indifference and boredom, a non appreciation of the existing splendor that mother earth bestows on us.
Advised by vishnu the devas and asuras start churning the "Milky Ocean" to gain vigour and strength from its gifts.
As vishnu arrives on the scene astride Garuda.....he contemplates.....
"What a sight......both extremes(devas and asuras) combine together for a common cause, by sublimating their base natures.......as the butter is churned out of the ocean, so does the ocean throw out its wealth for the individual who strives to go against his nature and tries to bring change in his life......"
"The devas represent the benign qualities of the mind......humility, kindness , effort....which are required in the requisite amount to lead a balanced life in society.......the asuras represent the impulsive nature within him .....anger, passion, pride which though intense are required for the individual if he is trying to change or revolutionise his character......Without the asuric qualities of pride and passion he will not be able to withstand the backlash of society when he tries to change , in the process becoming a hypocrite in the eyes of his fellowmen....."
"The milky ocean ......represents the frothing , bubbling mind......initially it spews "Halahala", the deadly poison.......which can consume the entire psyche of the individual.....transformation is not a joke and as a side effect the psyche contorts....believing what it wants to believe resembling an elephant in rut.....the poison needs to be consumed by one other than the individual....enter shiva......the tamasic lord...., he consumes the poison....Shiva in the human psyche is the ability to be non-reactive....indifferent to the plays of the mind......introverted and ever present in brahman , shiva represents an escape for the psyche when it threatens to engulf the consciousness by the poisonous thoughts of guilt and anger......when the individual goes into a contemplative state, his own poisonous thoughts are consumed......making the presence of shiva a crucial moment in the transformation.....without him there is annihilation of the psyche......ironically the dark lord acts as the savior untrue to his nature of destruction......symbolising that when an individual changes even the gods change their shades...mirroring him...encouraging him....."
"Material splendor enamoring the mind is created by the mind itself.......ucchaishrava the white horse. walks out of the ocean.......represents the prancing and galloping nature of the mind.....the horse is elegant...so are thoughts....it is a conscious decision to either go behind the horse or stay put for the final reward...."amrit".....nectar of immortality......
subsequently follows "Lakshmi" the goddess of wealth.....she is enchanting......having the ability to fulfill all needs ...she is the epitome of capitalistic consumerism and greed......and she knows it.......wealth has its significance only when channelised and not when hoarded.....she slowly moves towards my lord and garlands him.......he is beyond desires and will not hoard her but will channelise her gifts to the deserving poor....he will hold the purse strings , thus retaining absolute control......
Finally dhanvantari , the god of health and well being emerges holding the pot of nectar......I observe , from the mind comes the elixir for immortality.......when all other desires are emptied from the "milky mind"......what remains is a healthy , balanced, sober , clear mind which is ready to receive the elixir of immortality.....
(to be continued)
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