The Devas wanted nectar, and in order for them to get the nectar they needed help. They went to a five-headed demon snake for help. The snake agreed to help. With a drill in the ground and the snake curled around the upper end of the drill, the devas tugged the demon snake back and forth to turn the drill. Finally the nectar sprung from the ground. The devas were now happy. However, along with the nectar came poison. The devas became worried and went to Shiva for help. Shiva then collected all the poison in his bowl and drank it to save the universe. So now he has poison in his stomach. If he vomits the universe will be poisoned. Therefore, Shiva holds the key to the destruction of the universe.

"My heart is broken, wounded by thousands of knives. My body has thousand of wounds and nobody is there to heal Me. Why, Oh, why? The moon, sun and stars are all within me and I carry the whole burden of the universe. Who cares about my pain?"

                         -- Mahavatar Babaji