Samudra Manthan

Samudra Manthan, or the Churning of the Ocean, is a significant episode in Hindu mythology found in ancient texts like the Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata. According to the legend, the gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) collaborated to churn the ocean of milk (Kshira Sagara) to obtain valuable treasures, including the nectar of immortality (Amrita).

To facilitate the churning process, they used Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the churning rope. As they churned, various divine and mystical objects emerged, such as Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), the wish- fulfilling cow Kamadhenu, and the moon. However, the process also released a deadly poison (Halahala) that threatened the cosmos. Lord Shiva consumed the poison to save the universe, which caused his throat to turn blue, earning him the name Neelkanth.

Finally, the nectar was obtained, leading to a dispute between the gods and demons, culminating in a battle for its possession. Ultimately, the gods succeeded in drinking the nectar, gaining immortality. The Samudra Manthan symbolizes the pursuit of enlightenment and the balance between good and evil.

Manu Parekh’s representation of the Samudra Manthan is a continued exploration of faith through his paintings in this monumental, 42 feet masterpiece. The presence of flowers where there is faith and the beauty of the vastness of the universe that embraces all that there is without any bias on the fulcrum of faith. The purity of faith is not tarnished with what emerges from the ocean, it remains untouched always. Manu Parekh’s artworks are simply an offering of his own devotion to the practice of painting.