Stories: Lord Shiva and Dhatura

In today's story, we are going to find out why Dhatura (Datura metel) is associated with the Hindu god, Shiva, who’s in my opinion one of the most amazing divine characters. Behold the epic Samudra Manthan. 

Statue of Lord Shiva, the Supreme God of destruction. He is easily recognised by the cobra around his neck. Nagarathar Sivan Temple, George Town, Penang.

Long ago, Hindu Gods (Devas) and Demons (Asuras) had a great battle, during which the Devas lost! Note that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, there are many lower ranking Gods. Hence, the Devas turned to their big boss Lord Brahma (supreme God of Creation) for help, which directed them to another big boss, Lord Vishnu (supreme god of Preservation). Vishnu suggested the Devas to make peace with Asuras in exchange for Amrit, the nectar of immortality. Unsurprisingly, the Asuras agreed. In order to obtain Amrit, Vishnu instructed the Devas and Asuras to stir the great ocean of milk (I know, it literally means milk), so that great treasures would float to the surface. Just wait and see…

The Hindu Dhatura (Datura metel)

Turning himself into a big turtle, Lord Vishnu lifted an entire mountain called mount Mandala into the center of the ocean of milk, it served as a pivot. Then, a big demon snake called Vasuki wrapped around the mountain as a stir bar. The Devas and Asuras used all their might to push the snake and churn the ocean... Guess what? The first thing that poured out was POISON, one called Halahala (I know it sounds funny but it's not), a substance so destructive, it threatened to obliterate all of existence. As the comrades perished with Halahala, master mind Vishnu went to another big boss, Lord Shiva for help. Shiva is the supreme God of destruction, the only being powerful enough to contain Halahala. Without a second thought, Shiva drank Halahala in one full gulp! Horrified, his wife Parvati extended her hands and clamped onto Shiva’s throat to stop the poison from spreading. So powerful was Halahala, it permanently stained Shiva’s throat blue. That's how Shiva gained his nickname ‘Nilakantha', the blue throat.

 

Datura innoxia is also associated with Lord Shiva.

 

Still, Shiva felt an insatiable thirst after consuming Halahala. He fashioned a knife to split open mount Mandala, and drank from its juices. As a result, the flowing liquid gave rise to what is now Lake Gosaikunda in Nepal, and from the chest of Shiva, sprung a pure white, highly poisonous flower! The Dhatura is formed and forever sacred to Lord Shiva. 

Finally, what else was uncovered from the ocean of milk apart from the nectar of immortality and cosmic poison? Everyone got a fair share of treasures, including a seven headed flying horse, a sacred cow and of all wonders, master mind Vishnu got himself Lakshimi, a beautiful lady (then Goddess of wealth) as his eternal consort. Sweet! But this is just the beginning because what happened next would lead to Ramayana and the story behind Deepavali itself. For that, will be our story next time.