Epics of India Storybook

The gods of heaven were downcast from their defeat to the demons. They were weak and in need of rejuvenation. They approached Vishnu, imploring him to strengthen them.

“You have come to the wrong place,” replied Vishnu. “The source of all power is the ocean; the sea alone will restore your vigor. You must visit the God of the Sea — he alone can renew your strength.”

The gods stood upon the edge of the sea, watching the sun set and the waves break upon the shore. Out of the depths rose a figure of great height and majesty, the Lord of Waters. He rose to his lips Devadatta, his conchshell trumpet. Its loud sound caused all the gods to tremble and bow in reverence before him.

“I will churn the ocean,” He said, “and she will bring forth amrita, the nectar of immortality.”

He grabbed hold of the great mountain Mandara and removed it from its place. He thrust it, peak first, into the ocean and began to use it as a churning staff. The sky darkened as the winds picked up and the waves grew taller, and many things emerged from the resulting whirlpool: the crescent new moon, the sacred cow Surabhi, Indra’s white elephant Airavata, and many of the greatest things in all the world.

Finally, Maya emerged from the whirlpool, carrying the cup of amrita. He handed the cup to the God of the Sea, who distributed it among the other gods. The amrita rejuvenated them, as they had hoped. The God of the Sea again blew on his conchshell trumpet, silencing the joyful commotion that had arisen.

Addressing the gods, He said, “I am now withdrawing from the world, into the sea. I have accomplished much in the churning of the ocean, and the world will benefit from it for ages to come. I give lordship of the sea to Varuna; he has shown great wisdom in ruling his other domains.”

He turned to address Maya. “I entrust to you Devadatta. You will give it to a great warrior some day, and he will accomplish great things in battle. Do not be hasty, but wait until you know the time is right.”

With that, he descended into the depths of the sea. He was never seen in India again.

[The sea god is now unknown in the traditions of India, though he is known throughout the world by many names: Poseidon to the Greeks, Lir to the Celts, Ulmo to the Elves, etc. In later times Varuna assumed his role as a kind of Neptune (Dowson), and in the Mahabharata Maya did not remember how he had received Devadatta (Buck 86).]