A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.184

c5.184

2. Kūrma. ‘The tortoise.’ The germ of this Avatāra is found in the Satapatha Brāhmana, as above noticed. In its later and developed form, Vishnu appeared in the form of a tortoise in the Satya-yuga, or first age, to recover some things of value which had been lost in the deluge. In the form of a tortoise he placed himself at the bottom of the sea of milk, and made his back the base or pivot of the mountain Mandara. The gods and demons twisted the great serpent Vāsuki round the mountain, and, dividing into two parties, each took an end of the snake as a rope, and thus churned the sea until they recovered the desired objects. These were—(1.) Amrita, the water of life; (2.) Dhanwantari, the physician of the gods and bearer of the cup of Amrita; (3.) Lakshmī, goddess of fortune and beauty, and consort of Vishnu; (4.) Surā, goddess of wine; (5.) Chandra, the moon; (6.) Rambhā, a nymph, and pattern of a lovely and amiable woman; (7.) Uchchaih-sravas, a wonderful and model horse; (8.) Kaustubha, a celebrated jewel; (9.) Pārijāta, a celestial tree; (10.) Surabhi, the cow of plenty; (11.) Airāvata, a wonderful model elephant; (12.) Sankha, a shell, the conch of victory; (13.) Dhanus, a famous bow; and (14.) Visha, poison.