Udaipur, August 24: On the fourth Monday of Sawan, a Shiva Katha was organised at Narayan Seva Sansthan under the theme ‘Bholenath Ki Sharan Mein—Apnon Se Apni Baat’. Sansthan president Prashant Agrawal narrated the story of Samudra Manthan and spoke about ego, self-control, cooperation and public welfare.
Narrating the story, Agrawal said Sage Durvasa had gifted Lord Indra a divine garland filled with prosperity. Indra placed it on his elephant Airavata, which dropped the garland on the ground and crushed it. Angry over this, Sage Durvasa cursed Indra that the three worlds would lose their prosperity and wealth.
After this, the asuras led by King Bali attacked the devas and defeated them. The worried devas first went to Lord Brahma and then sought the help of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu advised them to make an agreement with the asuras instead of fighting them and churn the ocean together to obtain the nectar of immortality.
For the Samudra Manthan, Mount Mandarachal was used as the churning rod, Vasuki Nag as the rope and Lord Vishnu’s Kurma avatar provided the base.
Agrawal said 14 treasures came out during the churning. The first was the deadly Halahal poison. It was followed by Kamadhenu, the horse Ucchaishrava, elephant Airavata, Kaustubha Mani, Kalpavriksha, Rambha, Goddess Lakshmi, Varuni, the Moon, Parijat tree, Panchajanya conch, Lord Dhanvantari and the pot of nectar.
The distribution of the treasures took place between the devas and asuras. However, when the nectar pot came into the hands of the asuras, they began fighting among themselves.
He said Lord Vishnu then took the form of Mohini and made the devas and asuras sit in separate lines. He served the nectar to the devas. During this, Swarbhanu took the form of a deva and managed to drink the nectar. Lord Vishnu used the Sudarshan Chakra to separate his head from his body. Swarbhanu later became known as Rahu and Ketu.
Lord Shiva Becomes Neelkanth
Agrawal also narrated the story of Halahal poison and how Lord Shiva became Neelkanth. He said when the poison created a danger to the entire creation, Lord Shiva took it into his throat for the welfare of the world. Because of this, he came to be known as Neelkanth.
He also explained the reason behind offering water to the Shivling.
On the occasion, children of Narayan Children Academy, led by Sansthan director Vandana Agrawal, took out a Kanwar Yatra and performed Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva. Sansthan founder and chairman Kailash Manav was also present and blessed the beneficiaries with disabilities.
Hundreds of devotees and beneficiaries of the Sansthan attended the Shiva Katha.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.