The Indian Anadyomene Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

While composed the poem, "Venus Anadyomene", I just remembered the similarity in her birth with that of Devi (Goddess) Lakshmi, which was narrated to me by my mother, when I was a little boy. Though, I did not give much thought to it at that time, I now wonder how the epics originated in two very different distant cultures have so much of similarities! As per Hindu Puranams, Devas (gods) and their arch rivals, Asuras (demons) were both mortal at one time. Amrita, the divine nectar that grants immortality, could only be obtained by churning Kshirasagar ('Ocean of Milk') . The devas and asuras both sought immortality and decided to churn the Kshirasagar with Mount Mandhara. The samudra manthan commenced with the devas on one side and the asuras on the other. Vishnu incarnated as Kurma, the tortoise, and a mountain was placed on the tortoise as a churning pole. Vasuki, the great venom-spewing serpent-god, was wrapped around the mountain and used to churn the ocean. A host of divine celestial objects came up during the churning. Along with them emerged the goddess Lakshmi. In some versions, she is said to be the daughter of the sea god Varuna since she emerged from the sea. In Garuda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana, Lakshmi is said to have been born as the daughter of the divine sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati and was named Bhargavi. According to Vishnu Purana, the universe was created when the devas and asuras churned the cosmic Kshirasagar. Lakshmi came out of the ocean bearing lotus, dressed in the choicest clothings and decked with ornaments of gold and all most rare precious stones. Along with the goddess, divine cow Kamadhenu, Varuni, Parijat tree, Apsaras, Chandra (the moon) , and Dhanvantari with Amrita ('nectar of immortality') appeared from the Ocean. She accepted the proposal of Lord Mahavishnu to be His consort. * The Three Worlds: The three worlds are Bhuulokam, Bhuvarlokam and Swarrlokam. The most sacred ‘Gaayatri Mantra' starts with "Om Bhur Bhuva Swa Thad Savitur Varenyam.."