Vishnu’s second incarnation- Kurma avatar (turtle or tortoise), is one of the lesser-known aspects of the Lord. In this blog, we will look at the presence of Kurma in Indian and world cultures, the iconography of Kurma, stories of Kurma avatar, lessons from Kurma avatar, the temples of Kurma avatar in India and will answer some of the commonly asked questions related to the tortoise incarnation of Vishnu.
When the gods and demons began Samudra-Manthan, they needed someone to carry the weight of the mighty Mount Mandara. Someone who was stable but not feeble, someone who could be trusted with carrying the weight of universal balance. All eyes were on Vishnu, the Paalankarta (preserver), who transformed himself into a gigantic turtle and thus began the churning of the cosmic ocean.
The longevity, sturdiness, and ability to preserve life through its slow movement have made the turtle a symbol of power not only in Hindu culture but across the world. From ancient America and Africa to China and India, turtles or “World Turtles” make an appearance in the cosmology of first civilizations.
“Kaalah praja asrijata kaalo agna prajapatimaSvyambhuh kashyapah kaalat tapah kaalaadajayata”
“Kaala created living creatures and Prajapati, from Kaala was born the Swayambhu Kashyapa (a sage, as well as the cosmic turtle) and from Kaala was born the sacred fire”.
The Atharvaveda hails Kashyapa, or turtle (also the name of the ancient sage), as a manifestation of the supreme being. In the ancient Sanskrit grammar written by Yaksha, the Nirukta, Kashyapa, or Kurma is associated with the term “akupara”—which means immeasurable, that who does not live in a kupa or well. Interestingly, the ocean and Sun are also sometimes mentioned as akupara.
The significance of Kurma in the earliest days of Indian civilization can be discerned by the fact that Shatapatha Brahmana hails Kurma as the creator, Prajapati. In Vedic tradition, Kashyapa sage who takes his name from Kashyapa, the cosmic turtle, along with his wife Ira is mentioned as the creator and parents of all living beings.
In the sacred Taittariya Samhita, a unique ritual of burying a tortoise at the base of a Yajna altar is mentioned, as an act that takes the sacrificer to heaven. The Taittariya Aranyaka also describes the Kayana ritual in which a tortoise is buried under the altar. In the Vedic texts, Kurma is equated with the Yagya Purusha, the cosmic being who receives all the sacrifice offerings.
One of the earliest references to the Kurma avatar comes from the Taittariya Aranyaka, where Prajapati, the creator of the cosmos performs great austerities (tapasya). As the fruit of this Tapasya, a golden turtle emerges from the vast oceans. Prajapati announces that the Kurma or turtle/tortoise is his creation, but the Kurma declares that he has existed for a long time, from before the time of Prajapati. The Kurma then takes the form of Purusha, the primordial being, and from him emerges Agni, Surya, Indra, Vayu, and other gods.
The story of Vishnu taking the form of Kurma is narrated in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata. Kurma is given the epithet of “Kurma-Raja” (the turtle king) and is revered as the pradurbhava or incarnation of Vishnu.
In the Agni Purana, the episode of sage Durvasa cursing Indra is described, as a result of which the gods lose all their glory. In search of the lost abundance, they plan to churn the ocean and Lord Vishnu takes the Kurma avatar to support the mountain Mandara.
The Bhagavata Purana mentions the story of Vishnu becoming the son of Vairaja and Sambhuti, Ajita, and then transforming into a cosmic turtle. In the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, it is mentioned that Adi Shesha, the divine serpent who carries the world on his hoods is supported by Kurma.
The most popular depictions of Kurma come from Indian temples and paintings, where Vishnu appears in his four-armed aspect, adorned regally, as a half-man and half-turtle. In some depictions, Kurma is seen as a beautiful turtle, surrounded by diminutive figures of gods and sages, who are praying in front of Maha-Vishnu as Kurma, for his benevolence.
Stand-alone statues of the Kurma avatar are seen in ancient temples, where Vishnu is depicted as a potent protector, with his divine weapons and the impenetrable body of a turtle, symbolizing his eternal guardianship of the world.
Many Hindu temples have large tortoise icons placed on the gateway of their main sanctum. A normal part of ancient architecture, the eternal tortoise raises the question- why is it placed on the temple entry?
Beliefs differ slightly on the reasoning for placing a tortoise on temple gates.
☛ Some revere the tortoise as a manifestation of Vishnu’s Kurma avatar, who is guarding the sanctum and blessing the devotees with his presence.
☛ Vedic practitioners see the turtle as a form of Prajapati Brahma, the supreme creator, mentioned in the Vedas.
☛ Others view the turtle as a Vaastu icon, a symbol and bringer of stability of earth, who protects the sacred architecture..
The Kurma Akhand Diya or Kurma lamp is a part of Hindu rituals and Vaastu. It is a lamp supported on the back of a turtle, made with pure metals such as brass. The iconography of this lamp resonates with the Vedic parallels between Kurma and Surya, both called akupara, both a symbol of boundlessness and eternity. Lighting the Kurma diya is considered auspicious, as a ritual that takes away the darkness of life and brings positivity and longevity, with the blessings of Kurma, who is the supreme being, the Param Brahman himself.
Though temples of Kurma are few, the following sacred locations are visited by the devotees of Vishnu, who worship the Lord in the tortoise form-
It is considered one of the most ancient and most famous temples of Kurmanathaswamy- Vishnu worshipped as the Lord of the universe and as a cosmic turtle. The central icon of the temple is believed to be established by Brahma himself. Vishnu is revered here alongside Lakshmi, who is also called Kurmanayaki. Designed in the Dravida style, the temple has grand structures and beautiful murals, making it a heritage marvel.
In the Chitradurga district of Karnataka, the temple of Lord Vishnu is located on the hills, with Kurma avatar as its central deity.
Sri Kurmavatara Mahavishnu is the temple deity in this historic shrine.
In the natural world, the turtle is known for its ability to draw its limbs (four legs and head) into its shell at will. These characteristics have been mentioned in the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali. The sage compares the Yogic practice of Pratyahara or control over senses with the movement of a turtle withdrawing its body from the outer world.
Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita also describes the turtle’s natural response of withdrawing its body with a perfect man’s reign over their senses that allows them to cut off from the external world to focus only on their inner truth.
In Yoga, the Kurma Mudra (turtle or tortoise gesture) is practiced for containing and preserving one’s energy. Practiced along with stable breath and meditation, Kurma Mudra helps destress the mind and increases one’s concentration.
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Simply put, Kurma or tortoise embodies the virtues of balance, absorption, immortality, and sacred ancientness. In a world where most run without knowing the aim, becoming a turtle is understanding the fact of life- “slow and steady, wins the race”.
According to Hindu texts, the Kurma avatar is the second among Vishnu’s Dashavatar. Vishnu took the Kurma or tortoise form to carry the mountain Mandarachal on his back during the Samudra-manthan.
The Kurma avatar is symbolized by a tortoise or turtle.
Kurma signifies stability, longevity, and control over the senses, which are considered essential characteristics of a balanced life. In the context of Dashavatara, Kurma signifies Vishnu’s eternal and stable protection, that guards the universe and provides it an unshakable support.
Kurma avatar was taken by Vishnu to help the gods and demons during Samudra-Manthan (churning of the ocean).
To Read More about Kurma avatar, Dashavatar, and Lord Vishnu, you may consider these Hindu books-
- Kurma Purana
- Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana
- The Complete Hindu Library compiled by Exotic India
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