| (Hinduism, Sanksrit)
The second avatara of Vishnu, Kurma, the turtle, is also
regarded as his eleventh purusha incarnation. Kurma is described
in the Srimad Bhagavatam, thus:
"surasuranam udadhim
mathnatam mandaracalam
dadhre kamatha-rupena
prishtha ekadashe vibhuh
The eleventh incarnation of the Lord took the form of a tortoise whose shell
served as a pivot for the Mandaracala Hill, which was being used as a churning
rod by the theists and atheists of the universe."
Bhag., Canto 1, Ch. 3, Text 16
"kshirodadhav amara-danava-yuthapanam
unmathnatam amrita-labdhaya adi-devah
prishthena kacchapa-vapur vidadhara gotram
nidrakshano 'dri-parivarta-kashana-kanduh
The primeval Lord then assumed the tortoise incarnation in order to serve as
a resting place [pivot] for the Mandara Mountain,
which was acting as a churning rod. The demigods and demons were churning the
ocean of milk with the Mandara Mountain in order to extract nectar. The mountain moved
back and forth, scratching the back of the Lord Tortoise, who, while partially
sleeping, was experiencing an itching sensation."
Bhag., Canto 2, Ch. 7, Text 13
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