Itihaasa means “it certainly happened in this manner.” These are wrongly called mythology. There is no equivalent word in English for Itihaasa. However, mythology is the opposite of what Itihaasa means. It is a calculated way to distance us from our own history. It is all our common history.

Jaratkaru was born in Yayavara lineage. He is the father of Astika. Jaratkaru was a Tapasvi who could survive merely on air. Once he saw several people hanging upside down above a pit. When Jaratkaru asked who they were, the people revealed that they are the forefathers of Jaratkaru. Since Jaratkaru did not marry and does not have progeny, they were afraid that their lineage will end. In this fear they were hanging upside down. When Jaratkaru revealed his identity, they commanded him to marry and produce an offspring. Jaratkaru agreed to get married for their sake, but on two conditions, the bride should also have the name Jaratkaru; she should be offered as alms to Jaratkaru.

Vasuki (who is a male snake) is aware that his relatives have been cursed to death in Janamejaya’s Yajna. He was also aware that Jaratkaru’s offspring can save them from death. To ensure that the snakes are saved, he offered to marry his sister to Jaratkaru so that Astika could be born and that Astika could appeal to Janamejaya. Thus, Vasuki ensured the survival of his relatives, the snakes. Astika was born out of the marriage of Rishi Jaratkaru with Vasuki’s sister, also named Jaratkaru.

Kadru and Vinata were daughters of Prajapati. They were married to Rishi Kashyap. Rishi Kashyap gave both of them a boon. Kadru asked for 1000 serpents as her sons. Vinata asked for two sons who will surpass the 1000 serpents in strength and valor. Kadru gave birth to 1000 eggs out of which serpents came. Vinata gave birth to 2 eggs but became impatient and broke open one of them. It was only half formed with the lower part undeveloped. The child which was half formed was Arunan. He cursed Vinata because she was impatient. He cursed that she would serve as a slave. A second son would come out of the second egg after 500 years and would release her from slavery.

Uccaihsravas is the horse that came out of the churning of the ocean. When Devatas wanted Amrut, the Mandara mountain was used as the churning rod and Vasuki was the rope. Vishnu, as Kurma Avatar, provided a stable resting place for the Mandara mountain. Several celestial beings came out of the churning. One of them was the glorious horse Uccaihsravas.

Mohini stole the Amrut from Asuras and handed it over to Devas. While the Devas were drinking the Amrut, Rahu disguised himself as a Deva and drank Amrut. Surya spotted this trick and picked out Rahu. An enraged Vishnu beheaded Rahu. However, since Rahu had already taken the Amrut, he stayed alive in two parts, head and the headless torso. Since then, there has also been a rivalry between Surya (and Chandra) and Rahu.

Kadru and Vinata were discussing Uccaihsravas. Vinata mentioned that the horse is white while Kadru claimed its tail is black. They took a bet about this and agreed that the loser will become a slave to the winner. To win the bet, Kadru asked her 1000 serpent sons to cover the tail of Uccaihsravas so that the tail appears black. The serpents refused. An angry Kadru then cursed her serpent sons that Agni will consume all of them in the Sarpa Yajna of Janamejaya.

Brahma consoled Rishi Kashyap that this curse on his sons is pre-ordained as the serpents had become evil and were troubling others. Since it is pre-ordained, the Rishi need not regret that the curse was uttered by their own mother. He also taught Rishi Kashyap Visha Harim Vidya, the antidote for snake venom.

Samudra Manthanam is a reflection of our mind. We have both positive and negative tendencies like Devas and Asuras. Mandara represents our discipline and determination. Vasuki is our desire. When desire is used properly to churn the mind it takes us to our destiny. When desire is used improperly, it can also yield Halahala. The poison Halahala represents the various emotions that come in the way of our goals. Kurma Avatar serving as a foundation for Mandara represents Dharma which should be the foundation of our thinking also. Parameswaran signifies Vairagya or determination that can overcome all difficulties and fears. Amruta represents wisdom that is the fruit of all our work.

Rishi Kashyap is the father of Vainateya. He was born to Vinata and is therefore called Vainateya (meaning son of Vinata). He was the second son of Vinata. The first son Arunan was born prematurely without bottom part of the body as Vinata was impatient and broke the egg before it would hatch on its own. Arunan cursed Vinata for this impatience and said that only his brother would free her from slavery.

Garuda is capable of flying anywhere overcoming all obstacles. This is the reason we worship Garuda (Arishtanemi) in the Bhadram Karnebhih Shanti Mantra. We worship Garuda so that he can take us to our destination overcoming any obstacle that we may face on the way.

Arunan became the charioteer of Surya. He was the only one who could reduce the Tejas and heat of Surya. After the episode with Rahu Surya became angry. He felt that he picked Rahu as an impostor and this benefitted all the devatas. However, he was left to face the enmity of Rahu while the devatas did not help. He decided that he would increase his heat and cause distress. He started becoming very hot. When Vainateya and Arunan were flying to meet Rishi Kashyap they also felt the heat. The distressed devatas asked Brahma for a solution and Brahma said if Arunan stands in front of Surya, his heat would be reduced. Rishi Kashyap mentioned this to Vainateya and Arunan when they came to meet him. Vainteaya took Arunan to Surya and from then onwards Arunan became the charioteer of Surya. The heat of Surya was also reduced.

Kadru was ordering Vinata and Vainateya around and making them do errands. Vainateya asked Vinata why must he listen to Kadru. Vinata mentioned apologetically and sorrowfully that they are slaves of Kadru and therefore they have to listen to them. Vainteya asked his cousin serpents what he must do to free his mother from slavery. The serpents demanded Amrut to free her from slavery. This is the reason Vainateya went to fetch Amrut.