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Sects of the Purānakāras
Caritas and Puranas
201
eclipsed by Rahu 80 The event of the carrying off of nectar by Rāhu through trickery finds mention by way of comparison 91 This similitude obviously rests on the traditional legend of the churning of the ocean in which context the demon is said to have applied stratagem for getung a share in ambrosia churned out of the ocean of Milk 92
Churning of the Ocean
The Purānas in question take incidental notices of the mythical event of the Samudramanthana We find references to the coming forth of some of the jewels together with the deadly poison from the stirred up ocean of milk 93 The golden pitcher seen by Maruded in her dream is likened to the pitcher of nectar appearing from the churning of the ocean 94 We also find references to the beautiful sound of the big ocean stirred up by the churning-stick 95 Next, the soldiers pulling the chain fastened to the arm of the Cakrin Bharata during his fight with his half-brother Bāhubalın, are compared with the gods and demons engaged in the churning of the ocean, and the chain is likened with the serpent (Väsuki), which served for a churning cord and Bharata's arm is apparently compared with the churning-mountain (Mandara) *6 Further, in an emphatic tone
80 राहुग्रस्त इवादित्ये भूमग्ने चक्रवर्तिनि ।
--bid , 1 5 699 cf CDHM, pp 252-53 91 सुधा विधुन्तुदेनेव...
-bed , 2 6 388 92 MBh 1 19 4-9. 03 TSPG, VOI VP 322 Cf MB, 1 18 41-43 04 Fift ETET TOFTHEISTI
-TSPC, 1 2 221 cf MBh 1 18 38 95 TSPC, 1 2 506b, 15 598 96 चकृपु. शृङ्खलाजाल सैन्याश्चक्रिभुजस्य ते । नेत्रीभूतमहिं मन्थगिरेरिव सुरासुरा ॥
-TSPC, 16 565 and compare मन्थान मन्दर कृत्वा तपा नेत्रञ्च वासुकिम् ।
-TSPC, 1.0 144
