The sage Durvāsas, wild in appearance and seeming possessed like a spirit, yet radiant with inner light, spoke in a voice trembling with emotion: “This Vidyādhara maiden, adorned with beauty, ornaments, and good fortune, with her full and high breasts—I have seen her, and now my mind is disturbed. I am not wise in matters of desire.” Troubled by these feelings, he declared, “I will go elsewhere for now, displaying my own fortune.” Thus resolved, O king, the sage wandered across the earth. As he journeyed, Durvāsas beheld Indra, the illustrious lord of the gods, husband of Śacī, resplendent as he rode upon Airāvata, the sovereign elephant and king of the three worlds. In a state of divine frenzy, Durvāsas removed the garland from his own head—a garland alive with bees intoxicated by its fragrance—and offered it reverently to Indra. Indra, lord of the gods, accepted the garland and placed it upon Airāvata’s head; and there it shone with a brilliance like the Gaṅgā flowing upon Mount Kailāsa. But Airāvata, maddened by the scent, seized the garland with his trunk and cast it down onto the earth. Witnessing this, the venerable Durvāsas, best among sages, was seized by anger. In his wrath, he spoke sternly to Indra: “O Vāsava, your mind is corrupted by the pride of sovereignty; you are arrogant. Because you did not honor the garland of Śrī, the abode of fortune, which I gave you—O fool, the fortune of the three worlds will now be destroyed, for the garland I gave was thrown to the earth by you.” He continued, “Therefore, your three worlds will become bereft of fortune, for all beings, moving and unmoving, fear the wrath that has arisen in me. In your excessive pride, you have disregarded me, O king of the gods.” Stricken, Mahendra quickly descended from Airāvata’s shoulder and sought to appease the sage Durvāsas, pure of sin. Bowing low, Indra pleaded for forgiveness. But Durvāsas, unmoved, declared, “I will not forgive you—why say more, O wielder of a hundred sacrifices?” With these words, the sage departed, and Indra followed after him, seeking reconciliation. Eventually, Indra mounted Airāvata and returned to Amarāvatī. From that time, the three worlds, along with Indra, became devoid of prosperity. Sacrifices ceased, ascetics abandoned their austerities, and gifts were no longer given; the world fell into ruin. Deprived of virtue and prosperity, the three worlds became vulnerable, and the Daityas and Dānavas—ancient enemies of the gods—prepared to overpower them. Defeated by the Daityas, Indra and the other gods sought refuge with the blessed Grandsire Brahmā, led by Agni. Hearing their plight, Brahmā instructed them and led them to the northern shore of the Milky Ocean. There, the venerable Grandsire addressed Vāsudeva: “Arise, O Viṣṇu, quickly act for the welfare of the gods! Without you, the gods are repeatedly defeated by the Daityas.” Thus addressed, the lotus-eyed Supreme Person, Viṣṇu, saw the gods in their unprecedented distress and assured them: “I will increase your power, O gods. I will tell you what should be done: bring all the herbs together with the Daityas to the Milky Ocean. Make Mount Mandara the churning rod, and Vāsuki the rope; with me as your helper, churn the nectar, O gods.” He instructed further, “First, speak amicably with the Daityas about this task; you shall all partake equally in the results here. When the ocean is churned and nectar arises, by drinking it you will become strong and immortal. In the same way, I will act so that the enemies of the gods will not obtain the nectar; the gods alone, though bearing hardship, will not be deprived.” Thus guided by the god of gods, the deities made a pact with the Asuras and strove together for the nectar of immortality. The gods, asuras, and danavas gathered all medicinal herbs and cast them into the Milky Ocean, whose brightness resembled the clouds of autumn. Using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vāsuki as the rope, they began to churn vigorously in their quest for nectar. By Viṣṇu’s arrangement, all the gods stood at Vāsuki’s tail, while the Daityas were stationed at his head. As they churned, the fiery breath of Vāsuki scorched the asuras, draining their brilliance and rendering them powerless. Meanwhile, the gods at the tail were refreshed by the wind of Vāsuki’s exhalation and the cooling rains from the clouds above. In the midst of the ocean of milk, the blessed Brahmā, foremost knower of Brahman, and mighty Mahādeva took their places upon Viṣṇu’s back. The lotus-born Brahmā seized Mount Mandara with his arms, fastening it with a chain and holding it firmly. Hari himself, in the form of a tortoise, supported the mountain at the ocean’s center, standing between the forces of gods and danavas. With another portion of his energy, Hari strengthened the gods as they and the danavas churned the ocean of milk. First to arise was Surabhi, the wish-fulfilling cow, revered by the gods; both the deities and the wise danavas rejoiced at her appearance. All were astonished and gazed in wonder, while the siddhas in heaven marveled, “What is this?” Then emerged the goddess Varuni, her eyes rolling with intoxication, staggering at every step.