2nd Vishnu Avatar: Kurma or Tortoise Incarnation

In Kurma Avatar, Maha Vishnu incarnated as a giant turtle to save the earth from destruction during the Satya Yuga. This avatar is mainly presented in the Bhagavata Purana, Agni Purana, and Ramayana. Additionally, one of the eighteen major Puranas, the Kurma Purana, is said to have been directly communicated by Lord Vishnu to Narada, and it includes the details about the Kurma avatar.

The second avatar of the Dashaavtara of Lord Vishnu, he takes the form of a giant tortoise. This is known as the Kurma avatar. During the process of Amritmanthan, Kurma avatar of Lord Vishnu comes to the help of Gods and Demons. He helped in two different ways. These are as follows:

First, he acted as a base to support Mount Mandar, the axis for the churning of the ocean. Second, as Mohini takes hold of nectar (or Amrit), gods got the advantage in “Dev Asur sangharsh”.

2nd Avatar of Vishnu

The second Avatar of Lord Vishnu is the Kurma avatar. In this avatar Lord Vishnu took the form of a Tortoise. Moreover, he took this form to provide the much needed help to Gods and Demons for the progression of Amritmanthan. 

Kurma avatar story

Kurma avatar is the second avatar of Lord Vishnu out of the dashavatara. In this he took the form of a tortoise in order to protect and save the world from destruction. The story holds its roots in the tale of Amrit Manthan. Let us have a clear understanding of this tale.
During the churning of the ocean, the mountain that the Devas and Aasuras were using caused the Earth to tilt. This could have caused destruction and ended life on earth. However, during this time Lord Vishnu came to rescue. He took the form of a Tortoise in order to support the mountain and prevent the Earth from tilting any further. This tortioise avatar of Lord Vishnu is called his Kurma avatar.
The Kurma Avatar is one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu and is believed to have taken place during the Satya Yuga. The story of this avatar is mainly presented in the Bhagavata Purana, Agni Purana, and Ramayana. The Kurma Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, also includes the details of this avatar, which is said to have been directly communicated by Lord Vishnu to Narada.

Curse of Durvasa to Indra

Devas grew more vulnerable due to the curse of Sage Durvasa. The demons or asuras, many evil deities in Hindu mythology, tried to overwhelm them. A war ensued, which continued for a long time. Despite fighting heroically, devas could not succeed over the asuras. So they asked Lord Vishnu for help.

Also Read : Matsya Avatar: The 1st Lord Vishnu Incarnation

The advice of Lord Vishnu

lord vishnu

Lord Vishnu requested the devas to utilize Mount Mandara as a churning place. But, they could not drag the mountain. On the advice of Lord Vishnu, the Gods and asuras made a pact to churn the ocean jointly. They pulled Mount Mandara and utilized it as a churning rod. Serpent Vasuki was used as a rope. During churning, Mandara started to sink into the earth at the base of the ocean. Vishnu took the state of Kurma (second dashavatara) and carried the mountain on his broad back.

Also Read:- Varaha Avatar: 3rd Avatar of Lord Vishnu

Vishnu as Mohini

As a result, amrita was available after the churning that asuras took possession of. Here Vishnu took the shape of a captivating lady, Mohini. He managed to seize the nectar bowl and gave it to devas. Eventually devas got powerful. Therefore, Vishnu aided the universe once again as Kurma Avatar.

‘The glorious Vishnu is the sole refuge of mortals. Lord Vishnu is infinite Light, Love and Wisdom.’

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