MANTHAN (मंथन)

The word Manthan (मंथन) comes from the Sanskrit root मन्थ् विलोडने i.e. to churn, to shake, to stir, to strike,to agitate, to splash

Samudra Manthan (समुद्रमंथन) i.e churning of the ocean, also known as the Amrita Manthana (अमृतमन्थन) is a major episode in Vishnu Puraan (विष्णु पुराण). This has also been described in the Bala kaanD (बालकाण्ड) of the Valmiki Ramayan. As Sage Vishwamitra is narrating the story to young Ram & Lakshman.

Diti is the elder sister of Aditi and the first wife of Sage Kaashyapa. Her sons were originally called asura-s, and later given the nomenclature of raakshasaa-s, the demons. Lady Aditi the second wife of that sage Kaashyapa, gave birth to the progeny of sura-s, later generally called as devataa-s, the gods. These two ladies are the daughters of Daksha Prajaapati.

The Suras and Asuras were pondering about the question, “how can we be free from old age, death and illness?” This is when they strike upon the idea as described by the two shlokas below.

तेषां चिन्तयतां राम बुद्धिरासीन्महात्मनाम्।
क्षीरोदमथनं कृत्वा रसं प्राप्स्याम तत्र वै।।1.45.17।।

“O Rama While the noble sons were reflecting over this matter an idea flashed across their minds to get nectar by churning the ocean of milk.

ततो निश्चित्य मथनं योक्त्रं कृत्वा च वासुकिम्।
मन्थानं मन्दरं कृत्वा ममन्थुरमितौजस:।।1.45.18।।

Thereupon, having decided to churn (the ocean mind) those very powerful ones, made Vasuki, (the great snake), as a rope and Mandara mountain as the churning rod and started churning it.