Sources of inspiration

Can we integrate the best of all these great people in order to live a life of peace and poise?

Mental Health vs External Challenge

How much time do you spend in each of these quadrants? To what depth / height? For what duration?

Physical aspects of Yoga

Biological evolution is such a fantastic science that I really feel everyone should be thoroughly knowledgeable with at least the basics of it. There are many popular science books on this topic and most of them are well written to pique ones interest in the subject. When one gets well acquainted with it, its easy to see that, evolutionarily, there are no quantum jumps. There is always a continuum.

What this implies is that, if any new characteristic has to be developed in an organism (in other words, when an organism evolves), the existing hardware and software are leveraged to the maximum possible extent. Redesign from scratch is certainly not an option. Thus, we see many organs doing multitasking (excretion and reproduction) or being designed in complicated ways (optic nerves instead of staying behind the retina, come in front and pierce through the retina on their way to the brain, leading to the blind spot).

Pretty much the same thing has happened with the mind too, though we do not normally perceive the same. The same parts of the brain from the pre-mamallian era that worked to handle physical stress (fight or flight when under threat) are the parts that function in an average person, when faced with a socially stressful situation. As we evolved from the pre-human species to the human species, the hardware and software that existed to handle physical stress, has been reused to handle social stress. So, as far as the physiology is concerned, there really is no difference between the stress faced by a zebra when it is chased by a lion to the stress faced by us when say, we are shouted at by our boss, or when someone abuses us in a bus or when our child fails miserably in an examination. But, that is only the similarity. The difference is that the zebra cannot learn Yoga (or at least no one has figured a way to do so), but we can learn Yoga and thereby free ourselves from this brain residue that is with us from the pre-mamallian / reptilian era.

There is not much difference mental stress wise!

Only humans are endowed (at least as far as we can see) with the faculty of awareness. But, for the average human, this awareness is so mixed up with the mind, that it is seldom experienced in its pure nature. Some rare individuals come with the ability to separate these two faculties effortlessly and at will. But, this seems to be next to impossible for most people. The physical aspects of Yoga have been specifically designed for such people and enable them to accomplish the separation between their mind and their awareness. But, it is difficult to understand how these things work. All techniques should only be used after committing oneself sincerely. That sincerity is the base on which any technique works.

The key factor used to facilitate any technique is the breath. If you have noticed, the pattern of your breathing varies with your mental state. When an individual is stressed, it usually becomes rapid and shallow. But when an individual is trained to breath correctly even under stressful situations, the responses of the individual in those situations become much more skillful and compassionate. This immediately leads to tremendous well being of the individual and betterment of hir relatioinships. This is the fundamental theory behind many of the practices developed in many traditions around the world.

In Yoga, one of the ways to achieve this is by the practice of asana with correct breathing. As we practice asana regularly, we notice that in some poses either inhalation or exhalation or both become difficult. But when that particular pose is practiced correctly with appropriate preparation, then slowly over a period of time the breathing in the posture improves. When this process is repeated in many poses, then, automatically the persons breathing becomes much better in most poses. Someone called this effort 'controlled suffering'. We activate the parts of the brain that get activated during stressful conditions and then we practice making the breath better in those circumstances. Thus, even in stressful situations our breath remains normal, and thereby our ability to respond skillfully to extreme situations dramatically improves. Gradually, the extremes stop affecting us. Patanjali says, after practice of asana,

tato dvandvānabhighātaḥ (sādhana pādaḥ, sutra 48)

Then, one is no longer disturbed by the play of opposites

Besides asana, pranayama techniques are also very important to help in this process. There are many different breathing techniques that have been developed around the world. From yogis to sufi saints all of them have developed and prescribed many of them. When the breathing becomes better, the quality of life automatically becomes better for the breath is the physical manifestation of the mind. These days accurate mathematical models have been developed to measure physical ramifications of such yogic practices. One such measure is the 'Heart Rate Variability'.

Heart Rate Variability is a measure of the time gap between two of an individuals heart beats. When this variation is plotted on a graph, for most normal people, its an horrible ad-hoc curve. This indicates that there is no smoothness or rhythm in the beating of the heart. But, for a person who is well trained in these practices, or for a realized Yogi, the curve is a beautiful sine wave. Such a beautiful and rhythmic heart beat pattern has both physiological and mental consequences. Such people are mostly in good health and more importantly, are very much capable of skillfully dealing with tough circumstances. Most of us are just happy to somehow survive tough situations, but these people thrive in such circumstances. Given the testing conditions the world is in, it is utterly important to develop such an inner strength. The movement from having an arbitrary heart beat pattern to that of a perfect sine wave is obviously a continuum. Regular, correct and appropriate practice done even for a few months is enough to show results. Such people improve their ability to derive joy fom simple events and be compassionate and sensitive.

There are many people who abhor any technique given along the spiritual path. They do have a very important point. Especially since, most people who follow any technique are slaves to the technique and do not understand that a technique is like a medicine. If the medicine needs to be had forever, then it has no use. Thirumoolar says,

எண்ணாயிரத்தாண்டு யோகம் இருக்கினும்

கண்ணார் அமுதனைக் கண்டறிவார் இல்லை

உள் நாடி உள்ளே ஒளிபெற நோக்கினால்

கண்ணாடி போலக் கலந்து நின்றானே

Even after thousands of years of yoga practice,

You may not be able to witness the divine

But, if you turn your attention within,

In a second, you may find him shining!

When techniques are used to derive the sense of self, they are bound to fail. Discovery of true nature is beyond any technique. But, the right technique is used to stay in that divine state even under stressful situations. The samskaras (conitioning) of the body and the mind are strong for most people and hence, techniques are vital for such people. But, the need and the usage has to necessarily be directed by the deepest part of that individual. Then there are some techniques that may be used to improve the general life condition of an individual and give them a glimpse of the divine. Unfortunately, the vasy majority of people definitely need such techniques. A calm and healthy general population goes a long way in building a peaceful society. But, all such techniques should be needed lesser and lesser by the individual.

In conclusion, I say that the physical aspects of Yoga when practiced with sincerity greatly assists in consolidating the gains one may make through insight into ones true nature.

இன்று படித்த திருமந்திரம்!

சீவன் எனச்சிவன் என்னவே றில்லை
சீவ னார்சிவ னாரை அறிகிலர்
சீவ னார்சிவ னாரை அறிந்தபின்
சீவ னார்சிவ னாயிட்டு இருப்பரே


இன்பத்து ளேபிறந்து இன்பத்து ளேவளர்ந்து
இன்பத்து ளேநினைக் கின்றது இதுமறந்து
துன்பத்து ளேசிலர் சோறோடு கூறையென்று
துன்பத்து ளேநினறு தூங்குகி ன்றார்களே


பெறுதற்கு அரிய பிறவியைப் பெற்றும்
பெறுதற்கு அரிய பிரானடி பேணார்
பெறுதற்கு அரிய பிராணிகள் எல்லாம்
பெறுதற்கு அரியதோர் பேறுஇழ்ந் தாரே


ஆர்வ மனமும் அளவில் இளமையும்
ஈரமும் நல்லஎன்று இன்புறுக் காலத்துத்
தீர வருவதோர் காமத் தொழில்நின்று
மாதவன் இன்பம் மறந்தொழிந் தாரகளே


குதிதோடிப் போகின்ற கூற்றமும் சார்வாய்
விதித்தென் நாள்களும் வீழ்ந்து கழிந்த
விதிர்திருந்து என்செய்தீர் ஆறுதிர் ஆகில்
கொதிக்கின்ற கூழில் துடிப்பிட லாமே


மலமென்று உடம்பை மதியாத ஊமர்
தலமென்று வேறு தரித்தமை கண்டீர்
நலமென்று இதனையே நாடி இருக்கில்
பலமுள்ள காயத்தில் பற்றும்இவ் அண்டத்தே


ஈதென்று அறிந்திலன் இத்தனை காலமும்
ஈதென்று அறிந்தபின் ஏதும் அறிந்திலேன்
ஈதென்று அறியும் அறிவை அறிந்தபின்
ஈதென்று அறியும் இயல்புடை யோனே


மலக்கலப் பாலே மறைந்தது சத்தி
மலக்கலப் பாலே மறைந்தது ஞானம்
மலக்கலப் பாலே மறைந்தனன் தாணு
மலக்கல்ப்பு அற்றால் மதியொளி யாமே


முன்னை அறிவினில் செயத முதுதவம்
பின்னை அறிவினை பெற்றால் அறியலாம்
தன்னை அறிவது அறிவாம் அஃதன்றிப்
பின்னை அறிவது பேயறி வாகுமே


தன்னை அறியத் தனக்கொறு கேடில்லை
தன்னை அறியாமல் தானே கெடுகின்றான்
தன்னை அறியும் அறிவை அறிந்தபின்
தன்னையே அர்ச்சிக்கத் தானிருந் தானே

Different metaphors, one goal!

சீவன் எனச்சிவன் என்னவே றில்லை
சீவ னார்சிவ னாரை அறிகிலர்
சீவ னார்சிவ னாரை அறிந்தபின்
சீவ னார்சிவ னாயிட்டு இருப்பரே

Individual and Divine are not two different
Individuals generally do not know the Divine
When an Individual knows the divine
Individual becomes the Divine

மனிதன் - புத்தன்

மற்றவரின் நிராசையைக் கண்டு அழுபவன் மனிதனடா,

மற்றவரின் ஆசையின் தேவையைக் கண்டு அழுபவன் புத்தனடா!

On God

It is very easy to talk about God - its existence or non-existence. Its very easy to go on lengthy homilies on the importance of believing in god. Believers can easily be tormented with fears of hell or seduced with visions of heaven. In fact, any nonsense can be said as no proof is needed to be produced.

Its also very easy to deny gods existence. Lengthy arguments can be given on why it is not proven without ever looking into the nature of the heart. The cold dryness of the mind can easily mask the warmth of the heart, even ones own heart. Its very easy to ignore the 'subject', who is giving the arguments, and go on big lectures about the absence of external proof of something for which no external proof can be given.

Sadly, neither group ever wants to talk about themselves and look at the so many ugly aspects of ones own lives. When one is willing and committed to eliminate all the ugliness in oneselves at every level, then an individual actually begins to evolve. Then, self righteousness and anger will subside and they will be replaced by humility and compassion. Then, this mad desire to accomplish something in this world for ones own sake will end and one will start to invest ones energies into things that are constructive and are useful for the society. Then, humans will stop forming teams of us vs them (based on any classification) and then we can perceive the whole world to be our family. Then, one will stop flirting with psychological time in terms of ambition, future plans, past regret etc and will be rooted in timelessness of the eternal present moment. Then, one may start questioning all the ugliness around us in terms of mindless destruction of wars, needless greed of our economic systems, desperate sadness of poverty, cruelty towards animals, environmental poisoning etc. Then, one will consciously attempt to step out of as many of them as is feasible, given ones social and economic context.

Only such an individual will be able to sense that part of every human which is eternally pure and free. Only then can the space of pure awareness within be realized. Without individual evolution all this will be non-understandable gibberish. But, when one sees that at least some of those who have propounded this in the past are people of the greatest integrity and are those who have contributed fantastically to human well being, one may at least be willing to explore this. When self inquiry is undertaken with this faith, the space of purity can be discovered for sure. Then, the individual starts living as the space of purity and over a course of time nothing is left in the individual except for that purity. This space of purity does not carry baggage from past. Awareness is always fresh and new and is never contaminated by the past. Any action that the individual performs is in the past and since awareness is always fresh, awareness is never touched by the consequences of actions. Thus, the purity called pure awareness is free of past actions. And that purity, my dear, is God. This state of purity, the state of pure awareness, cannot be known by the intellect. Anything that knows awareness is already awareness. Hence, to know pure awareness, only way is to be in the natural state of choiceless awareness as often as possible. And, this process is Yoga!

Puruṣa-viśesa

kleśa-karma-vipākāśayair aparāmṛṣṭaḥ puruṣa-viśesa īśvaraḥ (samādhi padaḥ, sutra 24)

That which is untouched by consequences of actions and is eternally free of impurities is God.

tapaḥ-svādhyāyeśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ (sādhana pādaḥ, sutra 1)

Self cleansing, self introspection and surrendering to the space of divinity within are the three components of Yoga.

samādhi-siddhir īśvara-praṇidhānāt (sādhana pādaḥ, sutra 45)

Higher states of consciousness, collectively called as samādhi in Yoga, is attained when surrenders to the state of divinity within.

This space of purity within is the grounding or the foundation on which ones life should be constructed. Sadly, most people do not recognize this, and instead, use their wealth, intellect, beauty, fame, family or something else as the grounding. Unfortunately, none of those is eternal and have the potential to one day collapse leading to utter desperation for the individual concerned. This space of awareness or God, is like the grounding of electrical devices. Any excess voltage can safely be discharged into the ground. When such a grounding is absent, all excess voltages will be retained and anyone who comes near gets a shock.

Many of our life situations are similar. When there is an emotional conflict with another individual, we tend to accumulate the negativity within us. The other individual also does the same. Together, the two people get into a negative spiral of continously hurting each other. But, if at least one person is firmly grounded, then all negativity can be safely discharged. Within a short period of time, the other individual will also notice this and will also find their grounding. Thus, even if one individual is grounded firmly, it may help to cleanse all other individuals who come in the vicinity of this person. Like how a single seed has the capacity to make this entire planet green, a single human being who is thoroughly grounded on God, has the capacity to transform all of humanity.

என்னில் ஒளி

கண்டேன் அந்த பட்டுபோன மரத்திலே ஒறு ஒளி,

கண்டேன் அவ்வொளியை எங்கும் சிதரிக் கிடக்கும் கல்லிலே!

பார்வை மங்கியதோ என்று வியந்தேன்,

புத்தி பேதலித்ததோ என்று அஞ்சினேன்!

பிறகு எண்ணங்கள் மறைந்தன, கவலைகள் தீர்ந்தன!

ஏனெனில், கண்டேன் அவ்வொளியை என்னில்!

இன்று இந்த நொடி

நேற்று தேவையில்லை,

நாளை தேவையில்லை,

இன்று இந்த நொடி போதுமே!

மதர்ஸ் டே வாழ்த்து

தன் அலுவலக களைப்பு மறந்து

மகன் களைப்பாற்ற காஃபி போட ஒடும்

உந்தன் அன்பை போற்ற

மதர்ஸ் டே என்ற ஒரு நாள் போதுமா?

3 out of 5000 students is statistically not important

Suicide at IIT-M

"Why are you always reporting negative news about IIT Madras? We also have the maximum number of patents but you didn't report that. But you would want to report the death of 3 out of 5000 students which is statistically not important. Why don't you go to other engineering institutes and find out how many died there. Why only IIT?"

Why did Nitin Kumar Reddy die? Is it as simple as 'inability to handle pressure'? Or is it good enough to blame the rat race?

Why did the dean of students say 3 out of 5000 is statistically insignificant? Is it as simple as callous attitude? Or is it good enough to blame the media which apparently pressurized him into making such a statement?

If at all one is truly distressed by such sad events, one would dig deep into the cause of such happenings and every unquestioned assumption will be looked into.

Why is the desire for careers and big pay packets by all the educated ones around is disconnected from the suicide? Why is the callous / desensitized attitude we all show towards all the violence around us disconnected from the deans reply? How come peoples desire to buy apartment after apartment disconnected from the recent 2G scam in India? How are the million rupee marriages in India disconnected from the rat race? How is the desire to ensure ones kids go to IIT and then to Stanford disconnected from the death of Nitin Kumar? Why is the need to uphold family pride and the urge to gossip ill about others not a contributing factor? Why is our acts of pressurizing others to respect / love one unconnected? Ultimately, why is the desire to establish oneself as a separate person, disconnected from all of creation, not related to this sad event?

Only when we care enough to see the fullest extent of the causal matrix, can we notice that all the fears and desires we carry in our heads are fueling that causal matrix. And only when we act decisively to change ourselves, can we even nurse a hope of putting an end to such completely unnecessary sad events. The refusal to act despite all this is no different from the (apparent) insensitive comments of the dean.

Nahum of Bratslav

10 SEC READING: a hassidic story

“Ah, but when they ask, ‘Nahum, why were you not Nahum?’

It is then I will tremble from head to toe!”

Links

The big endosulfan betrayal

So India spoke and said endosulfan is essential and the only cheap pesticide the country has. It also said it is safe and not proven to be toxic in Indian conditions.

Day after suicide at IIT-M, blame game on

When asked as to what the Institute in general and Guidance and Counselling Unit (GCU) in particular was doing to address the situation and to improve the response against such incidents, dean of students Govardhan M said, "Why are you always reporting negative news about IIT Madras? We also have the maximum number of patents but you didn't report that. But you would want to report the death of 3 out of 5000 students which is statistically not important. Why don't you go to other engineering institutes and find out how many died there. Why only IIT?"

கண்ணா

திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா,

அஹங்காரமென்னும் திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா,

உன்னை அதை விலக்க விரும்பும் அனைவரும் காண்பர்!

ஆனாலும் அதை விரும்புவோர் மிக சிலரே கண்ணா,

என்றாலும் குறை ஒன்றும் உனக்கில்லை கண்ணா!

The Turtle Beneath Your Yoga Mat

The devas and the asuras were cantankerous people. They were never satisfied and were known to constantly bicker amidst themselves, sometimes even leading to violent clashes. Sometimes the devas won, sometimes the asuras and there was never any stable equilibrium. At some point, due to years of such conflict, the devas and the asuras were tired of the fighting and born out of that was a hiatus to their battles. At that moment, the devas and the asuras noticed that there was a old man trying to say something to them. He had been with them all along but, caught up in their own fights, they had managed to ignore him. But now, due to the pause in fighting and the mental tiredness, they finally noticed him. This man, spotting the opportunity, announced that there is a possibility of the fighting to end and there is a possibility of lasting peace. Many of the devas and asuras were nonchalant about him but some of them took notice. Eventually, after much discussion, they asked the old man how. The old man told them that there is this wise person called Prajapati whom they should contact if they want to know more.

Devas and Asuras fighting!

Then, these perennial fighters paid a visit to Prajapati, a wise old man who almost seemed to have a hallow behind his head. He welcomed all these fellas with a warm smile and asked them the reason for their visit. The devas and asuras told him their lengthy history and finally told him that a old man advised them to consult him about discovering peace. Prajapati smiled and told them he cannot give them peace but he can guide them on what needs to be done if they are willing to do it for themselves. It seemed a fair enough deal for the devas and asuras and so they agreed. Prajapati then went on to tell them the location of a great secret ocean and revealed it to them that at the bottom of this ocean lies Amrit, the nectar of immortality. He further told them that the moment they discover amrit, their life will begin to be peaceful.

No sooner than Prajapati had revealed this secret, a few devas and asuras rushed to the ocean and jumped into it in an attempt to discover the amrit. Sadly, they were not aware of even the most simplest facts of navigating the ocean and, as a consequence, perished very soon. Prajapati felt sad and told the devas and asuras that they are an unintegrated lot and in order to do this job they all need to be integrated. In other words, they need to resolve together that they will all work together to do this. If not, he warned with a solemn face, that they may all go back to their fighting. The devas and the asuras went into a big huddle and started squabbling amidst themselves about the best course of action. Some of them wanted to ignore this old idiot and they actually started to leave. But, thankfully, most of them remained. Some out of curiosity, some out of the frustration with the old ways of living and some others inspired by the peace that Prajapti himself radiated. Finally, they came to a conclusion that they are going to do this and asked Prajapati to guide them.

Prajapti then began his instructions on the route to the discovery of amrit, or in others his instructions on Yoga. He went straight to the subject matter. He said you cannot go to the amrit but you can do something that will make the amrit come to you. To cause that, you need to churn the ocean with the help of the migthy Meru mountain and the snake Vasuki. Many of the devas and asuras were in splits. They concluded that this was the rant of a mad man and they left. Influenced by them, some more left. These fellas started to get on with their usual lives. But, there were still a few of them left. Prajapati, motivated by the sincerity of those who were present, continued his instructions. He went on to say, you need to get the help of, the ever ready to help, Lord Vishnu. He also warned them that there may be temptations and dangers along the way and only if all of you are motivated to get there, will you all get it. He concluded his instructions by saying that just one or two of you may not be able to get it. Its either all of you or none of you

The devas and the asuras were happy to get a blue print of their action plan but they were confused about the part that involved Lord Vishnu. They assumed that since Vasuki is an avatar of Adiseshan on whom Lord Vishnu sleeps, they need to ask Lord Vishnu's permission to use Vasuki as a rope. They were soon to find out if their assumption was right. So they chugged along to Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu and asked him and Adiseshan for their permission to use Vasuki. The ever ready to help lord, granted them their wish immediately. Within moments, the devas and the asuras who were at the task of churning the ocean started making their move.

In the meantime, those devas and asuras who thought Prajapati was a fool, went back to living in the way they know best - sensory enjoyments, suffering, brutal wars and more sensory enjoyments. Seeing all of this, some of the devas and asuras who had committed to churn the ocean were also tempted to go back to the old ways for the seduction of that was pretty strong. Confusion and self doubt reigned amidst most of them. Prajapati did his best to convince them that they were on the right path and that the path of violence is abhorrable. Indeed, he said, any path without the amrit is meaninglessl. After such a passionate speech from Prajapati, some of the confusion subsided. Most of them got back to the job of churning the ocean, though a few of them continued to be sceptical of the true intentions of Prajapati. When everything was set, devas and asuras wrapped Vasukis huge body around mount Meru and dropped the mountain onto the ocean. Unfortunately, the devas and asuras, in their lust for amrit, failed to realize that something very strong and stable is needed below to hold the mountain. Without such a stable support beneath to hold the process, the mountain started to sink. Despite the best and valiant efforts of many of them, the mountain continued to sink. A pall of gloom descended on the group of churners. They again rushed to Prajapti.

They related the story to Prajapati and Prajapati angrily told them that they had forgotten about his advice on Lord Vishnu. They complained that they did ask Lord Vishnu for permission. Prajapati smiled and asked them, rheetorically, if that is enough. He said, Lord Vishnu himself is needed to be a part of this if the amrit is to be discovered. Without the stability and strength of Lord Vishnu to guide you during the entire process, and his protection during the inevitable emergencies, Prajapati said, the amrit can never be discovered. In that moment of urgency, all the devas and the asuras assembled there and listened to Prajapati in rapt attention. He further went on to say that only if all of them get together and plead in an uniform voice will Lord Vishnu come and assist them. He said Lord Vishnu is ever ready to arrive but their plea for help has to reach him. He is exactly such a distance away that if everyone calls for him in an uniform voice, he will hear their voice. Even if one person does not join the chorus, the request will not be strong enough. But, the moment he hears, he will arrive instantaneously. Hearing this, the devas and the asuras grouped together and tried to call Vishnu in one uniform voice. After many failed attempts, motivational speeches from a few asuras and devas themselves, everyone got motivated to give this a one last serious try. At that point, their differences vanished and they all united in their effort. Seeing the sincere efforts of these folks, the guys who had deserted these sincere seekers earlier under various pretexts returned to join the prayer. Just as Prajapti had ordered, all of them united in their cause. Finally, in one uniform attempt they prayed and the prayer reached Lord Vishnus ears.

Vishnu opened his eyes and saw mount Meru sinking and noticed that all devas and asuras were praying to him for succor. Instantaneously, the lord of infinite grace, the lord who responds instantaneously to whole hearted prayers took the form of a huge turtle (kurma avatar), went under the ocean and held the mountain on its supremely sturdy shell. Then gradually he lifted the mountain to an appropriate height and kept it there steadily so that the devas and asuras may churn the ocean. All of them now rejoiced. Having now witnessed the lord in action, all of them were convinced that Prajapati was indeed speaking the truth all along. They were all convinced that there is peace to be found at the end of this process. At the very least, they were all convinced that this is a journey worth taking and that their past ways of living missed something phenomenal. They all also realized that there is still work to be done. Then they went about churning the ocean.

Churning of the ocean!

For a reasonable amount of time, nothing happened. Initially, their churning was very ineffective and it was very difficult. It requird every bit of their energies. Prajapati was of great assistance here in training them. Slowly, they learnt the correct technique and the churning became more and more efficient. Gradually things started to change. Many interesting items started to come out of the ocean. Some of the devas and asuras were satisfied with these things and decided to call it quits. But, the sincerity of the others, memory of past suffering in their wars and Prajapati's relentless insistence on continuing convinced them to get back to the job. For example, there was the Aswini brothers of Ayurveda who gave wonderful advice on good health. After their arrival, all the devas and asuras attained prime health and their churning became much better. Then there was the most precious gem called Kausthubh. The famed cow Kamadhenu that blesses with milk continuously also came out of the ocean. Drinking that milk gave all of them all the enthusiasm that they needed to finish this job. Having obtained all this and many such wonderful gifts in the process, the devas and asuras were well primed to reach their goal. But, the temptations were too high for some of them and the churning started to loose steam. Prajapati stepped in and gave more advice passionately. Thanks to his efforts and the sincerity of some of them, the churning was restarted. But, some ground was lost in the meantime and that had to be recovered. But, the devas and asuras stepped up and the churning went on full steam.

For a while then nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. All was still. The devas and asuras started anticipating something tremendous. But, instead there was a foul smell in the air. Some of them started feeling dizzy. The color of the ocean changed and started to take on a black tinge. Everyone became a tad afraid. But, now that they had come so far, they continued. And suddenly, the stench became unbearable and the most deadliest poison ever, Halahala, started to ooze out of the ocean at great speed. There was no where to hide. All the devas and asuras were stunned. Even Prajapati was speechless. None of the scriptures spoke about it, though some of them spoke about mysterious dangers. All of them were scared to death. At this point, all their expectations dissolved. All their hopes of something great vanished. They all huddled together as one mass and were watching the scene unfold intensely. The stream of poison now became higher and higher and just as it was about to fall over them and destroy them forever, there appeared the supreme lord Shiva out of nowhere and in one fell scoop, he swallowed all of the poison. Then, at the same speed with which he came, he disappeared and that too without a trace. In seconds, the foul stench was gone and the ocean was back to its beautiful shade of blue. The devas and asuras were too shaken to respond but were happy that they were saved. They couldnt quite understand. They asked Prajapati for an explanation. He said only now did he himself understand and also said that is difficult for him to explain at this point. More importantly, he said, all the dangers are now over and the churning has to be complete.

Shiva drinking Halahala!

At this point, having spent such tough times together, and having worked together, the devas and asuras were unified into one single personality. They were all totally integrated into one and there were no two. They then churned the ocean as a single individual and with total grace and harmony. They then all realized that churning was absolutely effortless. What was a major effort once, was now absolutely effortless. The moment they all realized this, mount Meru disappeared. So did Vasuki. Then, Lord Vishnu, in the form of a turtle, came out of the ocean with a beautiful vessel in their hand holding the Amrit. Then, Lord Vishnu distributed the amrit to all of them. All the devas and asuras surrendered completely at his lotus feet. The Lord then took all of them into his fold and blessed them so that they will all be eternally in peace and never at war with each other.