Kurma A carving of the Kurma avatar on a pillar at the Vittala Temple , Hampi , India `` Kurma '' is also an alternative transliteration of korma . In Hinduism , Kurma was the second avatar of Vishnu . Like the Matsya Avatara also belongs to the Satya yuga . Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and sat on the bottom of the ocean after the Great Flood . A mountain was placed on his back by the other gods so that they could churn the sea and find the ancient treasures of the Vedic peoples . Kurma is also the name of a rishi , the son of Grtsamada . Iconography The four-armed Kurma Avatara is often shown carrying the symbolic attributes of Vishnu . 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 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 Samudra manthan or `` the churning of the ocean of milk '' is an interesting legend . In the ancient times , the Devas were mortal . Their enemies were the Asuras . One day , the King of the Devas , Indra was riding his elephant when he came upon sage Durvasa . The sage decided to honor Indra by giving him a scented garland . Indra took the garland , but placed it on the forehead of his elephant . The elephant was irritated by the scent and threw the garland off , then trampling on it . The angry sage gave Indra a curse that he and the Devas would begin to lose all their energy and power . In due course , the Devas started to lose in war against the asuras . Indra was advised to perform Samudra manthan i n order to obtain amrita ( nectar of immortality ) which he and the other Devas could drink and thus be able to defeat the asuras . Appeal to Brahma The Devas feared that the Asuras would take over the whole world . Therefore , they prayed to 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 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 NilakanTa ( `` Nila '' : Blue , `` KanTa '' : throat ) . Then , various people , animals , and treasures emerged . These included : Sura , goddess and creator of wine Apsarases , various divine nymphs 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 , Dhanavantri , the Heavenly Physician , emerged with a pot containing nectar . As the Asuras rushed to take the nectar , the frightened Devas appealed to Kurma , who then revealed himself as the female avatara 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 , 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 . References Hinduism | Dashavatara of Vishnu Matsya | Kurma | Varaha | Narasimha | Vamana | Parashurama | Rama | Krishna | Balarama | Buddha | Kalki Categories : Forms of Vishnu In other languages : Français | Bahasa Indonesia | Italiano | 日本語 | Svenska 