Wednesday, April 15, 2015

A-Z April Challenge 2015: M for MOHINI, VISHNU AVATAR

M for MOHINI
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The sea of milk boiled over as both the Devas and Asuras worked hard to churn it. It was not just these two groups at work. Lord Vishnu had taken the form of a tortoise (Kurmavatar) and settled in the ocean bed. Over the huge tortoise was placed Mount Mandara, used as a churn. Vasuki, the serpent was used as rope. All working in tandem, churned the ocean.

Out came Mahalakshmi, then the Kalpataru and more. Still there was no sign of the Amrut that the Devas and Asuras were seeking. Just as everyone was getting tired, a golden Kalash rose from the depths of the ocean. The two contingents jumped with joy. Finally, the Amrut was there – the potion that would ensure that they became immortal.

Lord Vishnu watched from the depths of the sea. Unless he did something in a hurry, the three lokas would soon be populated with evil Asuras who would never die. Rising from the river bed and changing his form quickly from a tortoise to that of a beautiful apsara, Lord Vishnu transformed into the beautiful Mohini in a second.

Holding the golden Amrut Kalash on her hips, Mohini walked slowly, her hips swinging deliciously, towards the eager Asuras. Giving them an alluring smile, she turned to the Devas and distributed the Amrut amongst them. While her hands were busy serving the Amrut to the Devas, her eyes were turned invitingly to the Asuras who were too absorbed by her beauty to notice what was actually happening.

Finally, Mohini reached the end of the line of the Devas to check the Kalash. Her face held pretended surprise to find the golden pot empty. She threw the Kalash back into the ocean of milk and walked away with swinging hips.

The enraged Asuras turned on the Devas. Alas, the Devas were invincible as Lord Vishnu had accomplished what he had set out to do – making them all immortal.

Glossary:
Devas – Heavenly beings
Asuras – Demons
Amrut – Potion of immortality
Kalash – Pot
Lokas – worlds



 Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015

Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur Uppal
I Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh
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46 comments:

  1. Elizabeth SeckmanApril 15, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    That is a very interesting. I had to read it twice- there is a lot of information there and I wanted to make sure I got the gist of all of it.

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 15, 2015 at 10:48 AM

      Thank you for stopping by Elizabeth! Yeah, it's a fairly well known story from Indian mythology. I just elaborated on the scene :)

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  2. Debraj MoulickApril 15, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    Mohini is a controversial avatar...loved your writing...would love to hear about the incidents involving Ayappa and Sabrimala.

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  3. ParulApril 15, 2015 at 12:30 PM

    That's a brilliant narration and a story I was never aware of. Good one Sundari. Loved reading it :)

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  4. the little princessApril 15, 2015 at 12:36 PM

    enchanting read! I knew this story in bits and pieces so it was nice to read it up all in one go here!

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  5. SoumyaApril 15, 2015 at 1:06 PM

    Woaahhh this was so interesting. I had faintly heard about this tale and now I know it well, all thanks to you :)

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  6. Devika FernandoApril 15, 2015 at 1:47 PM

    Finally a story I knew! :D Love this one. Ah, Mohini... men still fall for forms of you. ;-)

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 15, 2015 at 1:54 PM

      Not just men, even Lord Shiva ;) resulting in the birth of Ayyappa

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  7. Swathi ShenoyApril 15, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    This was a story I knew but I didn't know that Ayyappa was born from Lord Shiva and Mohini!!!!

    My Soul to Steal

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 15, 2015 at 2:35 PM

      That's the most fascinating thing about Indian mythology - stories within stories within stories. Even I am discovering a lot of things I never knew as I am doing research for A-Z. I am so loving it :D

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  8. ahanaApril 15, 2015 at 2:39 PM

    Thats interesting. Didn't know about this. I feel sad for the asuras, poor dears!

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 15, 2015 at 4:24 PM

      #jawdrop
      You feel sad for the asuras? LOL They were a destructive lot. Can you imagine living side by side with those, especially if they are immortal? Its like the dinosaurs. If they hadn't become extinct, man won't be on earth. ;)

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  9. iluvfictionApril 15, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    This one was one of my favourites. I had an issue of Amar Chitra Katha on Amrit Manthan. Well written!!

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  10. RajlakshmiApril 15, 2015 at 6:23 PM

    I still remember this scene from the serials that was telecast in TV. Enjoyed reading :)

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  11. Prasanna RaoApril 15, 2015 at 7:37 PM

    Ah, it's best not to take your eyes off from your goal or mission. Your narration is superb. I have very less knowledge of Indian mythological stories but your posts make me want to read more :)

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 16, 2015 at 11:26 AM

      Thank you so much Prasanna! I simply adore these tales. I have heard so many from my grandparents, parents and a few uncles and aunts. It's a never ending joy to delve into these :)

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  12. Shanaya TalesApril 15, 2015 at 8:12 PM

    Mohini is one of my favorites! I loved to hear this story and the other one 'Bhasmasur & Mohini' over and over again as a child.
    *Shantala @ ShanayaTales*

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  13. UnknownApril 15, 2015 at 10:03 PM

    Didn't know that story, but very excited to read it - greatly told. Just remember I heard the word Mohini from some songs in India:-)

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  14. David P. KingApril 15, 2015 at 10:58 PM

    Went to an exhibit recently, all about Vishnu. Cool to tie this into what I saw there. :)

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 16, 2015 at 11:29 AM

      Thank you for stopping by David! Glad you are able to make a connection :)

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  15. deepti menonApril 15, 2015 at 11:21 PM

    Mohini has always been the most desirable of creations... this story just goes to prove how easily a woman can twist men around her little finger! :) Well written, Sundari!

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  16. Shilpa GargApril 16, 2015 at 12:02 AM

    Enjoyed reading this tale, Sundari! :)

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  17. Zannie RoseApril 16, 2015 at 12:31 AM

    I came across and Western woman who called herself Mohini - now I know where she got the inspiration

    zannierose A-Z visitor

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 16, 2015 at 11:30 AM

      Possibly! Mohini means 'a desirable woman'. Thank you for stopping by Zannie :)

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  18. LakshmiApril 16, 2015 at 5:40 AM

    Visualised the whole thing from your writing, beautiful!

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  19. SuzyApril 16, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Lord Vishnu comes in so many forms to help all. Jai Hari Bol.

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  20. Preethi VenugopalaApril 16, 2015 at 2:45 PM

    I was fascinated when I first heard this story. And even how Lord Shiva fell in love with her. Amazingly described Sundari.

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  21. IndywritesApril 18, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    I had not heard about mohini but I liked her spunk!

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    1. Sundari VenkatramanApril 18, 2015 at 10:39 PM

      Thank you Inderpreet :) Mohini is an avatar of Lord Vishnu but is not one of the Dashavatar

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  22. Amrit SinhaApril 19, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    I love mythology ... I am delighted you chose this theme for A to Z :-)

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