How Do You Spell SAMUDRA MANTHAN?

Pronunciation: [sˈamʌdɹə mˈanθən] (IPA)

Samudra Manthan is a popular Hindu mythology tale that describes the churning of the ocean to retrieve the nectar of immortality. The word "Samudra Manthan" is spelled as /sæmʊdrə mənθən/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word starts with the letter "s" followed by the vowels "a" and "u" which represent a long "a" sound. The two words are separated by a space and both start with the letter "m" followed by the vowel "a" and the consonant "n" and "th" respectively. The last syllable "an" is pronounced as "un".

SAMUDRA MANTHAN Meaning and Definition

  1. Samudra Manthan, also referred to as the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, is a Hindu mythological event that holds great significance in Indian culture and tradition.

    In this epic tale from Hindu scripture, the Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata, Samudra Manthan symbolizes the cosmic struggle between the Devas (celestial beings) and the Asuras (demonic forces). It depicts the churning of the primordial ocean to obtain Amrita, the nectar of immortality.

    According to the legend, the Devas and Asuras agreed to churn the ocean to acquire the elixir, as they both desired immortality. They formed an alliance for this endeavor and used Mount Mandara as the churning rod with Vasuki, the king of serpents, as the churning rope. As the two parties pulled the snake back and forth, the mountain rotated, stirring the ocean.

    During the churning, numerous celestial beings, divine objects, and treasures emerged from the ocean. This included Kamadhenu, the cow of plenty, Ucchaisravas, the divine white horse, and the goddess Lakshmi, who was claimed by Lord Vishnu as his consort. The process also produced various harmful substances and demons before finally yielding the Amrita.

    Samudra Manthan holds deep spiritual and metaphorical significance. It represents the eternal struggle between good and evil, the tests faced by humankind, and the pursuit of immortality, both literal and metaphorical. This mythological event continues to inspire rituals, art, and narratives in Indian culture, showcasing its enduring significance in the religious and philosophical landscape of the country.

Etymology of SAMUDRA MANTHAN

The word "samudra manthan" is of Sanskrit origin. It is a combination of two Sanskrit words:

1. "Samudra" (समुद्र): This word translates to "ocean" or "sea" in English. It is derived from the Sanskrit roots "sam" meaning "together" and "udra" meaning "water".

2. "Manthan" (मंथन): This word translates to "churning" or "to churn" in English. It is derived from the Sanskrit root "manth" meaning "to churn" or "mix up".

Therefore, "samudra manthan" can be translated as "the churning of the ocean" or "the churning of the sea". In Hindu mythology, this term refers to the epic event when gods and demons jointly churned the cosmic ocean to extract divine treasures.