Spiritual Significance of Samundra Manthan

Spiritual Significance of Samundra Manthan
 
Samundra Mandhan (churning of ocean) was done between Devas and Asuras (the story has already been published under the category of  "stories - the wisdom"). The story conveys great spiritual guidelines.
 

1. Ocean signifies the worldly affairs. By its churning, the person gets nectar in form of spiritual wisdom and bhakti.
2. Mandrachal Mountain represents manas (मन). Manas should be stabilized like a rock in Bhakti.
3. When manas (Mandrachal Mountain) start sinking in the worldly affairs, then take the help of kurmavatar i.e. Narayana.
4. When bhakti stabilizes in Narayana, first poison comes out. The poison means miseries (criticism, etc.) which pain the person. If he has forbearance, he would succeed and would get nectar.
5. Shiv ji consumed poison for the benefit of all. Selfishness should be sacrificed for the benefit of all.
6. Shiv ji kept poison in the throat. Criticism etc. should not be taken down in the stomach.
7. After poison, Kamdhenu i.e. wish fulfilling cow came out. Kamdhenu is symbol of satisfaction. Kamdhenu was donated to rishis-munis. Whatever is first earned should be used for benevolence.
8. Next came out Ucchai-shravas i.e. flying horse with seven heads. This was given to asuras. Shrava means fame. Ucchai-shravas is symbol of fame. Fame comes in the life during success but the one who develops Mada (over-pride), declines.
9. Next came out Airavata i.e. white elephant with five heads. This was given to Devas. Elephant is symbol of majesty and sharp vision. Gross vision means sight on gross body and sharp vision means sight on subtle body.
10. Subsequently, Apsaras (celestial beings) and Parijata i.e. divine tree came out which Devas got. 
11. Then the goddess Lakshmi came out. Lakshmi ji was given option to go with. Lakshmi ji roamed around and found, Asuras were full of anger, rishis were having tapas but lacking bhakti, Devas were without anger but highly lustful, Parshurama was not having anger & lustful but harsh & bitter, Markandaya muni was handsome, having long age but unattached and Shankar ji was not lustful or having anger, innocent but his attire was terrible. Lakshmi ji found Narayana best and chosen him for been soft hearted.
12. Next came out Sura i.e. the goddess of wine which Asuras got.
13. Thereafter, Dhanvantari i.e. divine Ayurvedic Doctor came out with Amrita (nectar) pot. Davas and Asuras started fight for taking it.
14. Bhagwan Narayana took the form of Mohini to enchant Asuras. Mohini means Moh or attachment of sensual pleasure. Once indulged in sensual pleasure, Amrita of enlightenment is not attained. Hari Samran is only way to be unattached.