The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 17

Section XVII. ( Astika Parva continued. )

Sauti said, "O ascetic, about this time the two sisters saw Uchchaisrava approaching near,—that Uchchaisrava of complacent appearance who was worshipped by the gods, that best of steeds, who at the churning of the Ocean for nectar arose, divine, graceful, perpetually young, creation's masterpiece, of irrisistible vigor, and blest with every auspicious mark."

Saunaka asked, 'Why did the gods churn the ocean for nectar and under what circumstances (on which occasion, as you say, sprang that best of steeds so powerful and resplendent) was it undertaken?"

Sauti said, "There is a mountain named Meru of blazing appearance, and looking like a huge heap of effulgence. The rays of the sun falling on its peaks of golden lustre are dispersed by them. Abounding with gold and of variegated tints, that mountain is the haunt of the gods and the Gandharvas. It is immeasurable, and unapproachable by men of manifold sins. Dreadful beasts of prey inhabit its breast, and it is illuminated with divine herbs of healing virtue. It standeth kissing the heavens by its height and is the first of mountains. Ordinary people cannot so much as think of ascending it. It is graced with trees and streams and resoundeth with the charming melody of winged choirs. Standing high for infinite ages, upon it once all the mighty celestials sat them down and held a conclave. They came in quest of amrita, they who had practiced penances and observed the rules according to the ordinance. Seeing the celestial assembly in anxious consultation, Narayana said to Brahma, 'Do thou churn the Ocean with the Suras (gods) and the Asuras. By doing so, amrita shall be obtained together with all drugs and all gems. O ye gods, churn ye the Ocean, and ye shall discover amrita.'"

And so ends the seventeenth Section of the Astika of the Adi Parva.