Bhima in Nagloka

Bhima in the river, went where the current took him. Slowly going into the water, he went down and reached the land of the Nagas, under the water.

Angry at seeing this strange object floating into their kingdom, these snakes began biting Bhima. The poison in the snakes acted as an anecdote and neutralized the poison in Bhima's body.

Awake, Bhima broke the ropes that tied him. Then seeing the snakes around them, he started grabbing them and hurling them around. Scared, the snaked fled. They went to Vasuka, their king, and told him all that had happened.

Vasuki wanted to see this person so went to see Bhima accompanied by his snakes. He recognized Bhima as a descendant of his and in sweet tones and words calmed Bhima. He gifted him many jewels and weapons. He then told the snakes never to harm Bhima.

He then took Bhima to his house where he gave him food and drink. There were pots of some drink there. Bhima after his food dranks from a few of the drinks. Each pot contained a drink that would give the one who consumed it, the strength of a thousand elephants. Having drunk from eight of those pots, Bhima gained the strength of eight thousand elephants.

After that Bhima went to sleep.

Bhima poisoned

The sage continuing telling Janmajeya said:

Kunti lived in Hastinapur with her sons. Her sons and sons of Gandhari started growing together. The one hundred and five boys went to learn the Vedas together. They played games together and in those games the Pandavas would usually emerge victorious.

Off all the boys, Bhima was the strongest. His voice was like a roar of an animal and when he jumped, it felt as if the earth was crashing. He would sometimes drown his brothers in play.

He would grab big trees which would get uprooted by his grasp.

Duryodhan used to be worried. A child with this strength, what will be become once he grows. He thought of killing off Bhima. If Bhima was away , then he could overpower the other brothers, capture them and get the kingdom for himself.

He asked his brothers to erect a place on the banks of Ganga which would be wonderful to look at. A wonderful hut was to be built there and in that hut all sorts of food items were to be kept.

When the hut was built, Duryodhan one day invited all brothers to go play on the banks of Ganga. Yudhishtira agreed and the Pandavas also went along. On their chariots they travelled till they reached the banks of the river.

They were tired and all sat down to eat. Duryodhan slyly added the Kalkuta poison in Bhima's meal. This was snake venom and was slow acting. After food, the princes went to play in the river.

Coming back, they dressed themselves in the best of the clothes and went to sleep on the golden cots kept for them. All were tired and were soon asleep. All except Duryodhan. And Bhima was unconscious, with the effects of the poison.

Seeing Bhima having lost his consciousness, Durodhan quickly tied Bhima's hands and had him flung in the river.

Neelakantha

Hearing these words of Uma (Durga), Shiva had his bull prepared. Riding his bull, he reached the spot where the churning had happened. He was accompanied by Durga on her lion, Kartikeya on his peacock and Ganesha on his mouse.

Indra welcomed Shiva and said all the goods that risen from the ocean had been distributed and there was nothing else left.

Shiva got angry. At first he had been ignored and now he was being told there was nothing for him.

Seeing Shiva angry, the Gods were scared. They did not know what to say. Seeing this, the sage Kashyapa approached Shiva with folded hands. He said I will tell you about the churning.

Rishi Durvasa had a garland made from the flowers of the Parijata tree. He presented that garland to Indra, who was then riding the elephant, Airavata. Indra, thanking the sage, placed the garland playfully on the teeth of the elephant.

The elephant could not stand the perfume coming the garland and dashed it to the ground, in front of Durvasa.

Seeing this Durvasa cursed Indra. You did not respect my gift. Let all your wealth and prosperity be lost.

Lakshmi, who was wealth and prosperity vanished into the ocean. Without Lakshmi, the entire heaven was lifeless.

Ending his tale Kashyapa said, this was why we churned the ocean. We went to Vishnu who helped us get Mandara and Vasuki for the churning.

Kashyapa took Shiva to the churning spot where he showed him a wounded Vasuki lying there,

Shiva said for my sake, I want you to churn the ocean once more. Again the churning started.

Not able to bear the pain anymore, Vasuki began to emit poisonous fumes. No one could stand this, and all started fleeing.

The Gods then started praying to Shiva, asking for a way out from this.
With one gulp, Shiva gulped the poison and held it in his throat. With the effects of the poison his throat became blue, and from then onward Shiva got a name, Neelakantha.

The Gods were very grateful. Shiva then asked the Gods to take back Mandara from where it had been brought. They all tried but could not. Shiva then effortlessly lifted the mountain and placed it where it belonged. He freed Vasuki and all went back to their homes.