Page "Elixir of life" Paragraph 7

Amrita ( or the elixir of life ) has been described in the Hindu scriptures.

Anybody who consumes even a tiniest portion of Amrit has been described to gain immortality.

The legend has it, at early times when the inception of the world had just taken place, evil demons had gained strength.

This was seen as a threat to the gods who feared them.

So these gods ( including Varuna-the god of rain, Vayu-the god of wind, Agni-the god of fire ) went to seek advice and help from the three primary gods according to the Hindus ; Vishnu ( the preserver ), Brahma ( the creator ) and Shiva ( the destroyer ).

They suggested that Amrit could only be gained from the samudra manthan ( or churning of the ocean ) for the ocean in its depths hid mysterious and secret objects.

Vishnu agreed to take the form of a turtle on whose shell a huge mountain was placed.

This mountain was used as a churning pole.