Samudra Manthan

Contd...

There were so many things that came out of the Samudra Manthan before Amrita, the nectar of immortality.

1. Sura, Goddess of Wine
2. Apsaras, Various divine nymphs like Rambha and Menaka
3. Kaustubha, the most valuable jewel
4. Ucchaishravas, the divine seven headed horse
5. Kalpavriksha, The wish granting tree
6. Kamadhenu, The wish granting cow
7. Airavata, The white elephant
8. Parijat, The divine tree
9. Chandra, The moon
10. Dhanvantari, The Doctor
11. Lakshmi, The goddess of wealth
12. Amrita, The nectar of immortality

Dhanvantari symbolizes the fact that material and spiritual success can be achieved only when the body and mind are in perfect state of health and harmony.

Amrita symbolizes the ultimate achievement of material and spiritual goal.

if you observe everything that came out of the Samudra Manthan before Amrita, was in a way to distract you from the final goal. Halahal, symbolizing pain and misery, Sura, the Goddess of Wine, Apsaras the ultimate object of desire, Kaustubha, symbolizes Wealth, and divine animals like the seven headed horse and the wish granting trees, etc.

It is only after you surpass every pain, misery and temptation, you achieve the ultimate goal.