SAGARAMANTHAN: CHURNING OF OCEAN MYTHOLOGY
Churning of the ocean is a popular motif, a recurring theme in Indian literature. Plying of large number of ships moving both ways on the waves of the sea in ancient India gave rise to the metaphor of churning of ocean which became a part of Indian mythology. The legend of ocean churning is found in the Ramayana of Valmiki, the Mahabharata and the Puranas with some variations. It is said that devas gods were emaciated under the curse of Rishis Durvasa and they wanted to obtain amrit ‘nectar” of immortality from the milky ocean. Unable to churn the ocean alone, they sought the help of asuras, the demons and both of them jointly churned the ocean making Vasuki, the serpent King the rope and mountain Mandara the stick. In the course of churning many treasures-ratnas came up from the ocean . They obtained halahala, the deadly poison in the form of a plant whose seed is said to resemble the cows teat. In order to save the world from destruction Lord Shiv swallowed the poison and retained it in his throat. As a result his neck became blue. Hence he is called Nilakantha.
The devas and asuras continued the churning. Then arose from the water legions of apsaras-beautiful damsels endowed with grace, youth and beauty. However, neither the gods nor the asuras accepted them as their wives, hence they became common to all, prostitutes.
Thereafter came from the water Varuni, the goddess of wine, which was appropriated by the asuras. Then came up uchchaishrava, the long eared horse which was given to the Sun god. It was followed by Kaustubha mani, the gem so named which was offered to Lord Vishnu and it adorns his chest.
And finally Dhanvantari, the physician god with a pitcher of ambrosia in his hand came up from the ocean and gods and asuras fought with each other for that potion. But the asuras, the demons were cheated by the gods who did not share it with them. Gods became immortal after partaking it.
Myths went on spiraling and in course of time some more articles were added to the list of ratnas which are claimed to have come up from the ocean. A ratna in the Sanskrit language denotes the best of the species.
Undoubtedly mythology is not history. But it is also not correct to say that myths are totally devoid of history. It can be safely maintained that they contain rudiments of history and therefore instead of rejecting their evidential value out-right, they need to be studied with an open mind. If we delve deep into the origin of the myths, the result may be quite rewarding and it may be possible to obtain some historical facts embedded deep beneath at the bottom. Marx has also observed that every mythology has some truth hidden in it.
A close scrutiny of the list of ratnas, that are said to have come up from the ocean at its churning would indicate that they were articles of import brought though the seas by merchants from overseas.
Students of Indian history are aware that in ancient times India ruled over the oceans, seven seas, sapta sagaras with eighteen islands ashtadashadvipa mala of the Puranic geography. It is note worthy that India is the only country in the world which has given its name to an ocean, namely the Indian ocean.
Indians were master navigators, and sailors. They made frequent journeys overseas. There were special institutes to impart education in the science of navigation, as a full-fledged subject. Reference to such an institute in the city of Surparak (Modern Sopara in Gujarat ) is found in Sanskrit literature. For the help of teachers a book in the form of a manual titled. Niryamaka (Navigation) Sutra was also available.
India has been in close contact with foreign countries since the prehistoric times. The entire region comprising Myamar, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, West Asia and the Mediterranean, was well known to the Indians. Large numbers of ships loaded with merchandise and passengers regularly plied to and fro in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea known as Mahodadhi and Ratnakara, Great Ocean and Store House of Gems. The purpose of maritime activities was economic gain and development of cultural relationship being its byproduct. India was a gainer, the balance of trade being in its favour. It was the common belief that sea-voyages result in prosperity – abdhirbhramanena shri-samkarshate (Harshacharita P. 189).
Trade with the West- Archaeological evidences have brought to light remains of flourishing trade existing between West Asia and India for the best part of a thousand years (C 2500-1500 B.C.). Mesopotamia (Iraq) is a country with no mineral stones, no good timber, nor a maritime economy. The entire Mesopotamian trade and sea faring activity was largely in the hands of Indians. Merchants from India had settled in that country. They were known as Melhua whose arrival was eagerly awaited by Sumerians who lived in South Mesopotamia at the beginning of the third millennium B.C. Excavations in Mesopotamia and Punjab (Pakistan) , Sind, Baluchistan, Rajasthan and Haryana have brought to light several articles of trade between these two regions. A substantial portion of this trade was sea-borne is attested by archeological evidences.
According to Jewish chronicles dating back to the reign of Solomon (c800 BC), Jewish ships made regular voyages to the east (read India). Existence of a large number of words of Sanskrit origin in the Hebrew language suggests regular contact between these countries.
In the Jatakas, which contain stories of previous births of the Buddha, there are copious references to sea voyages undertaken by Indian merchants to Baveru which is identified with Babylone.
Vessels in those days generally moved close to the coast during long journeys due to hazards faced in deep sea voyages and also fear of sea pirates. Starting from sea-ports of Gujarat and Sind, they passed through the coasts of Baluchistan, Iran and Arabia up to Aden. But they were not allowed to proceed further by the local chiefs who forcibly purchased their entire cargo and sold them to their western neighbors at high prices. The Arabs made huge profit in this trade. Evidence of their role as middlemen between India and the West is available in Indian, Hebrew, Arabic and Western literatures.
There is also sufficient evidence to show that Indians had close relations with the Island of Madagascar, the gateway of Africa. Indians in large numbers had settled in that island. They spoke a hybrid language, an admix of Sanskrit and Indonesian words. People in Madagascar believe that their ancestors came from Mangalore, a port city in Karnataka on the western coast of India.
For further study consult book
The devas and asuras continued the churning. Then arose from the water legions of apsaras-beautiful damsels endowed with grace, youth and beauty. However, neither the gods nor the asuras accepted them as their wives, hence they became common to all, prostitutes.
Thereafter came from the water Varuni, the goddess of wine, which was appropriated by the asuras. Then came up uchchaishrava, the long eared horse which was given to the Sun god. It was followed by Kaustubha mani, the gem so named which was offered to Lord Vishnu and it adorns his chest.
And finally Dhanvantari, the physician god with a pitcher of ambrosia in his hand came up from the ocean and gods and asuras fought with each other for that potion. But the asuras, the demons were cheated by the gods who did not share it with them. Gods became immortal after partaking it.
Myths went on spiraling and in course of time some more articles were added to the list of ratnas which are claimed to have come up from the ocean. A ratna in the Sanskrit language denotes the best of the species.
Undoubtedly mythology is not history. But it is also not correct to say that myths are totally devoid of history. It can be safely maintained that they contain rudiments of history and therefore instead of rejecting their evidential value out-right, they need to be studied with an open mind. If we delve deep into the origin of the myths, the result may be quite rewarding and it may be possible to obtain some historical facts embedded deep beneath at the bottom. Marx has also observed that every mythology has some truth hidden in it.
A close scrutiny of the list of ratnas, that are said to have come up from the ocean at its churning would indicate that they were articles of import brought though the seas by merchants from overseas.
Students of Indian history are aware that in ancient times India ruled over the oceans, seven seas, sapta sagaras with eighteen islands ashtadashadvipa mala of the Puranic geography. It is note worthy that India is the only country in the world which has given its name to an ocean, namely the Indian ocean.
Indians were master navigators, and sailors. They made frequent journeys overseas. There were special institutes to impart education in the science of navigation, as a full-fledged subject. Reference to such an institute in the city of Surparak (Modern Sopara in Gujarat ) is found in Sanskrit literature. For the help of teachers a book in the form of a manual titled. Niryamaka (Navigation) Sutra was also available.
India has been in close contact with foreign countries since the prehistoric times. The entire region comprising Myamar, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, West Asia and the Mediterranean, was well known to the Indians. Large numbers of ships loaded with merchandise and passengers regularly plied to and fro in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea known as Mahodadhi and Ratnakara, Great Ocean and Store House of Gems. The purpose of maritime activities was economic gain and development of cultural relationship being its byproduct. India was a gainer, the balance of trade being in its favour. It was the common belief that sea-voyages result in prosperity – abdhirbhramanena shri-samkarshate (Harshacharita P. 189).
Trade with the West- Archaeological evidences have brought to light remains of flourishing trade existing between West Asia and India for the best part of a thousand years (C 2500-1500 B.C.). Mesopotamia (Iraq) is a country with no mineral stones, no good timber, nor a maritime economy. The entire Mesopotamian trade and sea faring activity was largely in the hands of Indians. Merchants from India had settled in that country. They were known as Melhua whose arrival was eagerly awaited by Sumerians who lived in South Mesopotamia at the beginning of the third millennium B.C. Excavations in Mesopotamia and Punjab (Pakistan) , Sind, Baluchistan, Rajasthan and Haryana have brought to light several articles of trade between these two regions. A substantial portion of this trade was sea-borne is attested by archeological evidences.
According to Jewish chronicles dating back to the reign of Solomon (c800 BC), Jewish ships made regular voyages to the east (read India). Existence of a large number of words of Sanskrit origin in the Hebrew language suggests regular contact between these countries.
In the Jatakas, which contain stories of previous births of the Buddha, there are copious references to sea voyages undertaken by Indian merchants to Baveru which is identified with Babylone.
Vessels in those days generally moved close to the coast during long journeys due to hazards faced in deep sea voyages and also fear of sea pirates. Starting from sea-ports of Gujarat and Sind, they passed through the coasts of Baluchistan, Iran and Arabia up to Aden. But they were not allowed to proceed further by the local chiefs who forcibly purchased their entire cargo and sold them to their western neighbors at high prices. The Arabs made huge profit in this trade. Evidence of their role as middlemen between India and the West is available in Indian, Hebrew, Arabic and Western literatures.
There is also sufficient evidence to show that Indians had close relations with the Island of Madagascar, the gateway of Africa. Indians in large numbers had settled in that island. They spoke a hybrid language, an admix of Sanskrit and Indonesian words. People in Madagascar believe that their ancestors came from Mangalore, a port city in Karnataka on the western coast of India.
For further study consult book