Vallabhacharya

The great sage Vallabhacharya says:

"A single lila of God achieves many objectives." (Commentary on Shrimad Bhagavata Purana 10.6, Karika 2).

Thus through the one act of samudra manthan (churning of the ocean), the following objectives were achieved:

a). The positive forces in life gained the nectar of self-realization.

b). Through the actual process of churning, a roadmap was laid for all sadhakas (spiritual aspirants).

c). All in all it is a delightful lila of God for all to savor.

d). Establishes the inspiring ‘nature’ and supremacy of Lord Shiva.

e). Points out that it is the hand of God which is behind each and everything that takes place in this world.

f). Lays down the principles of political expediency (for eg. There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics).

g). The secret of success is surrender to god, meaning obeying his will, and not in giving up action.

h). Drinking up other people’s troubles is a permanent ornament (for those like Lord Shiva) even though they may not be well-dressed in the conventional sense.

i). The only perfect being in this world is Lord Vishnu, making him the ideal suitor for Goddess Lakshmi, signifying that he has the sole claim on all the world’s prosperity, including the miniscule portion we are lording over possessively. All of it needs to be put into use as directed by God.

j). God has strange ways of bestowing his grace. What at first may seem detrimental to our interests may turn out doubly beneficial (as the gods experienced when they were made to hold the tail end of the churning rope).