According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva drank the poison hālahala to save the universe after the demigods and demons churned the Ocean of Milk:

 According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva drank the poison hālahala to save the universe after the demigods and demons churned the Ocean of Milk: 

 

• The churning

  The demigods and demons summoned Vāsuki, the king of the serpents, to churn the Ocean of Milk. 

   
• The poison

  The churning produced a lethal poison called hālahala that escaped from Vasuki's mouth. 

   
• Lord Shiva drinks the poison

  Lord Shiva entered the water as a tortoise and lifted Mandara Mountain. His wife, Bhavānī, gave him permission to drink the poison. 

   
• The result

  The poison spread throughout Lord Shiva's body, marking his neck with a bluish line. He was named Neelkanth because of the poison. 

   
• Cooling down

  Goddess Parvati pressed on Shiva's throat to stop the venom from coming down, and offered him bhang to cool down his throat. 
•