The churning of the ocean was performed by the combined efforts of demigods and demons. They divided all the precious things that came out of the effort equally until the ultimate drink of immortality – the nectar was brought out by Lord Dhanvantari in a golden bowl.
The demons immediately took the opportunity and ran towards Lord Dhanvantari. They forcefully snatched the nectar bowl from him and ran away to a secluded place.
Demigods felt cheated and started discussing among themselves: “The demons did not act right. It is not a justifiable act which they should not have done. They should understand that it is the result of our combined efforts.”
Demigods couldn’t find a way out and approached Lord Narayana to explain the situation.
The Lord replied, “Do not worry. I shall take care of it.”
Then the Lord took the form of Mohini and approached the demons in a singing and playful mood and enchanted them.
Pointing to the demigods standing at a distance, Mohini cheerfully asked, “What is the problem with the other group standing over there?”
Demons replied, “It is the problem of brothers. You need not worry about it.”
Mohini smilingly replied, “Of course it is. You should not fight so. Let me solve.”
Mohini charmingly took over the nectar bowl. “Now, all of you obey as I say.”
Captivated by the looks and moves by Mohini, the demons agreed.
Mohini ordered demons to sit down on one side and ordered the demigods to sit on the other side.
She went to demons’ ears and whispered, “I wanted to give them drops of nectar first so that there would be enough left for you guys at the end.”
Demons were happy to hear that. Demons whispered back, “That sounds so good.”
Mohini started distributing the nectar to the demigods one after the other.
Rahu who was also sitting among demons understood that it was not Mohini. It must be the cunning Vishnu.
He understood any fight now will not help. So, he secretly went to find some place among demigods. Rahu thought that the demigods will find him out because of his dark complexion. So, he decided that he would sit between Sun and Moon as their brightness would cover his darkness. He reached the Sun and Moon who were sitting next to each other and made a place between them.
Both Sun and Moon demigods were busy in their longing for the nectar from Lord Mohini. As Mohini reached them, she served Moon, and then to Rahu, and then to Sun. As soon as he got the nectar, Rahu got up and left the place. The Sun god and Moon god complained to the Lord that he was not part of the group. Then the Lord released his disc to cut Rahu’s head. As he swallowed the nectar from his mouth to the stomach, the head and body became immortal. The head is called Ketu. Body is called Rahu.
Then the Lord continued to distribute nectar to all the demigods. Thus, at last demigods won.
After the incident, demigods reached Lord Narayana and said, “Maharaj, you should have been more careful. The demon Rahu drank the nectar.”
The Lord replied, “What should I do? He came and sat among you.”
The demigods insisted, “Maharaj, what would be our position now. The demon would harass us forever.”
Then the Lord replied, “Do not worry about what had happened. Let me ask you a question. Do you know how Rahu came and sat among you?”
The demigods looked at each other surprisingly and said to Lord, “No Maharaj.”
Lord replied, “He realized that this is not Mohini but the cunning Vishnu. He did not become immortal because he drank nectar. He became immortal because of his realization of Me. If anyone knows Me as who I am, they become immortal.”
Whether you are a demon or a demigod, whether you are divine or demonic doesn’t matter if you know the Lord as it is.
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18th June 2017: Sarasota, FL