As the great churning of the ocean of milk commenced, all the gods gathered together at the tail of the mighty serpent Vasuki, while, through Vishnu’s arrangement, the daityas and asuras took their place at Vasuki’s head. As the churning began, Vasuki’s fiery breath struck the asuras, robbing them of their brilliance and power, leaving them pale and weakened. Meanwhile, the gods were refreshed by the cool wind of Vasuki’s exhalation at the mouth and by the rain from the clouds at his tail. In the midst of the ocean of milk, the blessed Brahma, foremost among those who know Brahman, and the mighty Mahadeva, both took their places upon Vishnu’s back. The lotus-born Brahma seized Mount Mandara with his arms, fastening it with a chain and holding it firmly. Hari himself, in the form of a tortoise, stood between the gods and the danavas, supporting the mountain in the ocean’s depths. With another portion of his energy, Hari empowered the gods as both the gods and danavas churned the ocean together. From their efforts, first arose Surabhi, the wish-fulfilling cow, revered by the gods. Both gods and wise danavas rejoiced at her appearance, gazing in astonishment, their minds bewildered. Even the siddhas in heaven wondered, “What is this?” Next appeared the goddess Varuni, her eyes rolling with intoxication, staggering as she walked. Clad in a single garment, her hair unbound and her eyes bloodshot and fixed, she declared, “I am the goddess who grants strength; let the danavas take me.” The gods, considering Varuni impure, rejected her, but the daityas accepted her, and thus she became associated with them. As the churning continued, the divine Parijata tree arose, beautiful and auspicious, followed by hosts of apsaras. At that time, sixty million apsaras were born, shared by both gods and danavas, for all had been created before and were allotted through their merit. Then the moon, pleasing to the gods, emerged. Shiva, adorned with matted locks, requested the moon for himself, declaring, “There is no doubt, I have taken the moon.” Brahma approved, and the moon became an ornament for Hara. Suddenly, poison—Kālakūṭa, terrifying—arose from the churning, afflicting both gods and danavas. Mahadeva drank this poison at will, and from this act became known as Nīlakaṇṭha, the blue-throated Lord. The remainder of the poison was consumed by the Nāgas. From the ocean then appeared Dhanvantari, clad in white garments, holding a water-pot filled with nectar. At the sight of the king of physicians, the minds of all present became tranquil. Afterwards, a horse arose, and likewise the elephant Airāvata. Then, radiant and blossoming, a figure stood within the lotus. From the milk emerged the goddess Śrī, holding a lotus, and the great sages, filled with joy, praised her with the Śrī Sūkta. The Gandharvas, led by Viśvāvasu and Mukhā, sang before her, while groups of Apsarases, headed by Ghṛtācī, danced. The rivers, beginning with Gaṅgā, approached with their waters for her bath, and the elephants of the directions, carrying pure water in golden vessels, bathed the goddess, the sovereign of all worlds. The ocean of milk itself gave her a garland of unfading lotuses. Viśvakarman adorned her with ornaments for her limbs, created divine garlands and garments, and bathed her, adorning her with jewels. Indra and others—groups of attendants, Vidyādharas, great serpents, Dānavas, mighty Daityas, Rākṣasas, and Guhyakas—all desired the maiden. Then Brahma spoke: “Vāsudeva, you alone should accept her, whom I have given. The gods and the Dānavas have been forbidden by me here; I am pleased with you for your restraint in this act.” Śrī, addressed by Brahma, was told: “O goddess, go to Keśava; having received the husband given by me, rejoice for endless ages.” Before all the gods, she went to the chest of Hari, and upon reaching him, spoke: “I am never to be abandoned, O god, always obedient to command; I will dwell on your chest, beloved of all the world.” Seeing Lakṣmī on the chest of Viṣṇu, the gods attained supreme joy. The Daityas, turning away from Viṣṇu, became greatly distressed, as Lakṣmī abandoned them. Then the demons seized the nectar from Dhanvantari’s hand, filled with wickedness, and took the mighty elixir. By his divine illusion, Vishnu assumed the form of a woman, enchanting the demons. Arriving before them, she said, “Give me the pitcher. Having become subject to you, I will remain in your house.” Seeing her, the most beautiful in the three worlds, their minds were overcome by desire and greed, and they gave the nectar to her, watching her intently. Taking the nectar from the demons, she gave it to the gods, and the hosts of gods, led by Indra, drank it. The demons, armed with raised swords, rushed towards her, but after the nectar was consumed, their mighty army was defeated. Thus, by the grace and wisdom of the gods, the churning of the ocean of milk yielded its treasures, and the gods prevailed.