Halahala

From Freepedia

In Hinduism, halahala or halahal is a poison created from the sea when Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the sea in order to obtain Amrit, the nectar of immortality.

Fourteen different ratnas (gems) were recovered in this exercise mostly retained by Gods after Demons tried to cheat them. Before these were recovered, halahal ("the most vicious and venomous poison") was produced which started killing both sides. Both parties prayed Lord Shiva to help. Shiva being the supreme one chose to consume the poison. But he did not drink the poison. He held it in his throat, thus earning him the name Vishakantha (the one who held poison in his throat). The poison made his throat turn blue. Hence he is also known as Neelakantha (the one with a blue throat)

See Samudra manthan.