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Kurma, the
Tortoise, was used for support to mount Mandara, as a churn dasher, when
the devas and the asuras churned the ocean (Samudramathana). Further to
Pralaya-Deluge at the begining of the present Kalpa the Gods lost the immortality.
So they decided to go to Vishnu, who presereves the order of the universe,
to beg help. Vishnu suggested to make peace with the asura, enemies and
cousins of the devas', to work toghether to obtain the Amrita, the nectar
of immortality, then he changed into a tortoise and plunged into ocean.
The devas casted all kinds of plants and herbs into ocean of milk. Garuda
carried on his back the mount Mandara and leaded it to seasohre. |
| Vasuki,
king of the serpents, was used as rope for turning it, on one hand the devas,
on the other the asuras churned the ocean of milk. The churning first threw
up Visha (or Halahala), the poison. Shiva removed the poison swallowing
it, so the churning started again, and many precious things rose up. Then
emerged the jar of the nectar Amrita-Soma. Suddenly the asuras, forgetting
their agreement, take possession of the jar all for themselves. So Vishnu
took on the form of Mohini, the most beautiful woman ever seen, and approaced
the asuras. These last intoxicated, regardless of the nectar, surrounded
the woman, thus the devas alone drank the nectar of immortality, not a drop
was left to the asuras. |