amrita
Quick Summary
In Hindu mythology, amrita is the elixir of immortality. Its origin is central to the myth of Samudra Manthana, or the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. This epic struggle involves the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons) who cooperate to churn the ocean of milk using Mount Mandara as a churning stick and the serpent Vasuki as a rope. Their goal is to obtain amrita, which lies at the bottom of the ocean. During the churning, many treasures emerge, including a deadly poison that the god Shiva consumes. Ultimately, the god Vishnu, in his female avatar Mohini, tricks the asuras into relinquishing their share of the amrita, allowing the devas to achieve immortality.123
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