Kurma
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{{Hdeity infobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
Image = kurma.jpg
| Caption = ''Incarnation of Vishnu as a Tortoise''
A carving of the Kurma [[avatar]] on a pillar at the [[Vittala Temple]], [[Hampi]], [[India]]
| Name = Kurma
| Devanagari = कुर्म
| Sanskrit_Transliteration =
| Affiliation = [[Avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]
| God_of =
| Abode =
| Weapon = [[Chakram|Chakra]] and [[Mace (club)|Mace]]
| Consort =
| Mount =
| Planet =
}}
''"Kurma" is also an alternative transliteration of [[korma]].''
In [[Hinduism]], '''Kurma''' ([[Sanskrit]]: कुर्म) was the second [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. Like the [[Matsya]] [[Avatara]] also belongs to the [[Satya yuga]]. Vishnu took the form of a half-man half-[[tortoise]], the lower half being a tortoise. He is normally shown as having four arms. He sat on the bottom of the [[ocean]] after the [[Deluge (mythology)|Great Flood]]. A [[mountain]] was placed on his back by the other [[deity|gods]] so that they could churn the sea and find the ancient treasures of the [[Vedic civilization|Vedic]] peoples.
'''Kurma''' is also the name of a [[rishi]], the son of [[Grtsamada]].
The upper-right arm holds the mace of Vishnu, known as [[Kaumodaki]], which literally means "that which inebriates the mind." The mace thus represents the power of knowledge, because knowledge dazzles and intoxicates the mind. Also all physical and mental powers are derived from the power of knowledge. Nothing else can conquer time and itself become the power of time. As such the mace is identified with the goddess [[Kali]], who is the power of time. According to the Krishna Upanishad "The mace is Kali, the power of time. It destroys all that opposes it."
The second right arm holds the [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]]. The lotus represents detachment, for though this beautiful flower grows in muddy waters, neither water nor dirt are ever seen sticking to its petals. Like the lotus, Vishnu is the partaker of life's pleasures who never gets ensnared by the charms of the world.
The upper-left hand holds the discus. The discus of [[Vishnu]] is known as [[Sudarshana]], which literally means beauteous-sight. It symbolizes a sharp instrument which severs obstacles in the attainment of enlightenment.
The other left hand holds the [[conch]]. The conch is the symbol of the origin of existence. It has the form of a multiple spiral evolving from one point into ever-increasing spheres. It is thus associated with the elemental waters. When blown, it produces a sound associated with the primeval sound from which creation developed.
==Samudra manthan==
[[Image:Awatoceanofmilk01.JPG|right|thumb|200px|The bas-relief from [[Angkor Wat]], Cambodia, shows [[Samudra manthan]]-Vishnu in the centre, his turtle [[avatar]] [[Kurma]] below, [[asura]]s and [[deva (Hinduism)|deva]]s to left and right.]]
[[Image:Kurma Avatar of Vishnu. ca 1870.jpg|250px|right|thumb|[[Kurma]] Avatar of Vishnu, below [[Mount Mandara]], with [[Vasuki]] wrapped around it, during [[Samudra manthan]], the churning of the [[ocean of milk]]. ca 1870.]]
===Appeal to Brahma===
The Devas feared that the Asuras would take over the whole world. Therefore, they prayed to [[Brahma (god)|Brahma]], who suggested a solution: churn the Ocean of Milk in order to obtain the Nectar of Immortality. However, the Devas could not churn the Ocean themselves. They struck a temporary truce with their enemies so that all could participate in the churning.
===Churning the mountain===
The Ocean was churned by using the mountain [[Mount Mandara|Mandara]] and the snake [[Vasuki]] wrapped around it. Each side would hold an end of the snake and pull on it alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn would cause the Ocean to be churned.
However, once the mountain was put on the Ocean, it began to sink. Then, [[Vishnu]] incarnated in the form of '''Kurma''' (turtle) to support the mountain.
===Halahala===
As the ocean was churned, a deadly poison known as [[Halahala]] emerged. This poison threatened to suffocate all living things. In response to various prayers, [[Shiva]] drank the poison; his wife [[Parvati]], alarmed, stopped it in his throat with her hands. This caused the throat to turn blue. Due to this, he is called Nilakantha (''Sanskrit'' "Nila": Blue, "Kantha":throat). Then, various people, animals, and treasures emerged. These included:
* [[Sura drink|Sura]], [[goddess]] and creator of [[wine]]
* [[Apsaras]], various divine [[nymph]]s
* [[Kaustubha]], the most valuable jewel in the world
* [[Uchhaishravas]], the divine horse
* [[Kalpavriksha]], the wish-granting tree
* [[Kamadhenu]], the first cow and mother of all other cows
* [[Airavata]], the mount of Indra
* [[Lakshmi]], the Goddess of Fortune and Wealth
===The nectar of immortality===
Finally, [[Dhanvantari]], kurma the Heavenly Physician, emerged with a pot containing nectar. As the [[Asura]]s rushed to take the nectar, the frightened Devas appealed to '''Kurma''', who then revealed himself as the female [[avatar]]a of [[Vishnu]], [[Mohini]]. The damsel distracted the Asuras, while the Devas secretly drank the [[amrita]]. One Asura, [[Rahu]], suspected foul play, disguised himself as a [[deva (Hinduism)|Deva]], and drank some Nectar. But before the Nectar could pass his throat, [[Vishnu]] cut off the head. The now immortal Devas easily vanquished the Asuras.
===Temples===
[[Sri_Kurmam]] is the only temple dedicated to the Kurma avatar.
== External links ==
* [http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/kurma.htm Hindu Gods, Kurma]
* [http://members.tripod.com/~srinivasp/mythology/kurma.html Indian Mythology, Kurma Avatar]
* [http://www.webonautics.com/mythology/avataar_kurma.html Indian Divinity, Kurma Avatar]
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