CHURNING OF THE OCEAN OF MILK

The Ocean of Milk is churned by Gods and Demons to generate AMRITA , the elixir of life .The purpose of the churning is to recover lost treasure such as the​​​​ source of immortality , LAKSMI the Goddess of fortune , AIRAVAN elephant of INDRA , and the nymph of loveliness .The retrieval of these objects symbolizes prosperity.  It  takes  place  during the  second  ascent  of  VISNU  , when  he  is incarnated as a turtle . On one side is a row of 92 demons (round bulging eyes, crested helmets), on other side is a row of 88 Gods (almond-shape eyes, conical headdress). They work together by holding and churning the serpent HANUMAN , the monkey God , assist VISNU in his reincarnation as a turtle , offer the back of his shell as a base for the mountain , MANDARA , and as a pivot for the churning . He sits on the bottom of the ocean. A huge cord in the form of the body of the serpent, VASUKI acts as a stirring instrument to churn the sea.

To begin the motion, the Gods and Demons twist the serpent's body, the Demens hold the head and the Gods hold the tail of the serpent. Then by pulling it rhythmically back and forth they cause the pivot to rotate and churn the water .The Gods and Demons are directed by the three persons (identified by their larger size). INDRA is on the top of VISNU. HANUMAN, ally of Gods, tickles the serpent. During the churning various female spirit emerge. VISNU appears in this scene again in yet another reincarnation as a human being to preside over the churning which, according to legend, lasted more than 1000 year. Numerous other being are depicted such as the three- headed elephant, mount of INDRA, APSARAs and LAKSMI, the Goddess of beauty . The churning provokes the serpent to vomit the mortal venom which covers the waves. Afraid the venom may destroy the Gods and Demons, BRAHMA intervenes and  requests SIVA  to devour and drink the venom which will leave an indelible trace on SIVA's throat . He complies and, as a result, the AMRITA pours forth .The Demons rush to capture all the liquid .VISNU hurries to the rescues and assumes yet another reincarnation in the form of MYA , a bewitching beauty , and is able to restore much of the coveted liquid .