We have entered into the Lunar month of Śravan, during which we remember the time the Deva and Asura churned the ocean in search of immortality. An account termed 'Samudra Manthan', in India. This month, and four months beginning from the recent Śukla Ekadaśī on 1st July, is a time of worship and not beginning any new activities. The Gods have gone to sleep and are not available to bless any new endeavours of mankind. Principally, their night has begun and it lasts for 6 months! This would have caused their awakening to happen ONLY during the December/January months, but in October (Navrātrī & Diwali) we forcibly awaken the Divine Mother, Śrī Durgā, to protect us during the darkest night.

The grace of the Moon Ths Gods began the churning of the ocean much earlier when the Sun entered Capricorn. This was during a great Kala Sarpa in the sky, where the great Naga (divine serpent), Vasukī was used as a churning rope around the mount-meru, which was used as the rod to churn the ocean! Only when the Sun entered Cancer, a kīta or insect sign, a terrible poison emerged which agitated the universe... sounds quite familiar this year! This poison emerged from Vasukī, the great serpent, whose job was to hold all the poisons of the universe within him. Being unable to, under pressure, he vomited out the poison to the agitation of the world. Śiva at this stage took the responsibility of holding the poison. He drank the poison and took the form of Śrī Akṣobhya, the one who removes all agitation. His spouse, Śrī Parvatī, seeing the poison enter his body manifested as the Divine Mother, Śrī Tārā Mahavidyā, the one who gives the knowledge of crossing the stages of life, and stopped the poison from falling beyond his throat. Her devotees worship her during this transit of Sun in Cancer. Suspending the poison in his throat, it became blue due to the burning of the poison, giving him the name Nīlakaṇṭha, lit. the blue-throated one. He is worshipped in this form as the one who can drink away the worst toxins of this world! At this stage, with the poison burning in his throat, the Sage Atri came to his rescue. The Sage meditated deeply, causing the birth of the Moon from the ocean. This cool and resplendent Moon was placed on the head of Śiva, cooling him down from the plight of his burning. This makes the Moon the strongest and biggest blessing of the birth chart. On Mondays, and when the Moon becomes full, during this month of Śravan, we have the opportunity to come close to Śiva, just like the Moon does. During this time we can be graced with Śiva's knowledge... and his knowledge is the entire Veda.