RANTA

Ratnas

According to Hindu mythology Devtas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) once decided to churn out the ocean of milk to solve the issue of supremacy among them. The churning stick was Mandra mountain on the back of Kurma ( an epical tortoise).The rope needed to churn was the Vashuki ( multiple headed king of snakes of Lord Vishnu). Lord Vishnu sat on the the pivot such that it will not skid in the ocean. All the Gods were on one side and all the Asuras were on the other side. As the churning of the ocean reached the peak, from the froth a deadly scum started forming. All gods and Devils got frightened after seeing it. It was Vish (Poison). Either someone had to swallow it or everyone was going to be in trouble. Seeing the unwillingness of everyone, Lord Shiva came to rescue and he took the Vish in mouth but did not swallowed it and kept it in the throat static. Hence his throat turned out blue due to effect of poison. Since then he is also known as NeelKanth ( Having blue throat) . After this event the churning started again to result the chaturdash ratnas (fourteen precious ratnas /precious things). These ratnas produced from the Samudra Manthan are as follows 1. ‘Chandra’ ( Moon) 2. ‘Parijat’ , a tree in the Paradise of Lord Indra 3. ‘Airavat’ , a multi-tusked elephant for again Lord indra 4. ‘Kamadhenu’ , a cow which provides desired objects 5. ‘Uchchaihsravas’ the white horse for Lord Indra 6. ‘Sankha’ the conch of Lord Vishnu used for victory 7. ‘Gada’ 8. ‘Laxmi’ , goddess of wealth 9. ‘Rambha’ , the apsara (celestial beauty) for heaven 10. ‘Ratnas’, ( gems and jewel ) 11. ‘Kalpavriksha , a tree fulfilling one’s wishes 12. ‘Dhanwantari’, the physician for all Gods. 13. ‘Mada , a goddess 14. ‘Amrit’ (the nectar drinking which one becomes immortal) in a golden chalice ( Kumbha).