U Lakshman Rao
The Kurmāvathāra left a profound impact upon the cosmos. The boundless treasures of the universe lay concealed in the hidden depths of the ocean. The only way to recover this wealth and share it with the world was to churn the ocean’s unfathomable waters.
In ancient times, the venerable sage Durvāsa, son of the great Atri and pious Anasūyā, known for his miraculous powers—even capable of restoring life to the dead and serving as the guru of the daityas (demons)—encountered Indra, king of the gods, riding the celestial elephant Airāvata. Out of reverence, the sage offered Indra a divine garland of immense spiritual value. However, Indra, in arrogance or ignorance, placed the garland upon the elephant’s head. Airāvata, unaware of its sanctity, trampled it.
Enraged by this act of disrespect, Durvāsa cursed Indra to lose his glory and divine opulence. Instantly, Indra’s brilliance faded; the devas too lost their celestial powers, plunging the universe into disorder. The demonic forces triumphed over the gods, seizing their realms. A cosmic crisis had begun.
Distressed, Indra and the gods approached the holy Trinity. Lord Viṣṇu, in his wisdom, proposed a way to restore balance: the churning of the Ocean of Milk to retrieve the hidden wealth and amṛta, the nectar of immortality. He advised gathering potent herbs, placing them in the ocean, and using Mount Mandara as the churning rod, with Vāsuki, the celestial serpent, as the rope. Both devas and asuras were to unite in this monumental task.
With great effort, they approached King Bali, leader of the asuras, and persuaded him to cooperate. Together, devas and asuras attempted to lift Mount Mandara, but the mountain’s weight crushed many of them. Overwhelmed and despairing, they prayed to Hari for aid.
The Supreme Lord Viṣṇu appeared, assuring them not to fear. Effortlessly, he lifted the mountain and placed it upon the back of Garuḍa, his divine mount. He then set it upon the ocean.
The mountain was fixed for churning, and Vāsuki was bound around it. Hari took position at the head of the serpent, while the devas held the rope behind him. The asuras, feeling insulted for being assigned the tail end, protested and demanded the head. The devas, graciously conceding, agreed to switch sides.
Thus began the great churning. But without a firm base, the mountain began to sink, threatening the entire effort. Seeing this, Viṣṇu assumed the form of a colossal turtle—Kūrma—and supported Mount Mandara on his back.
As churning resumed, a thunderous sound echoed through the universe. Vāsuki, strained by the task, spewed venom from his thousand hoods. The asuras, overwhelmed by the poison, fell unconscious, while the devas endured with divine strength. Eventually, from the depths arose the Kālakūṭa, a deadly poison spreading ruin across the worlds.
In desperation, the gods and demons prayed to Lord Śiva. Moved by their plea, Śiva looked to Pārvatī and said, “Bhavānī, they have come to us in helplessness. I must save the worlds. Even Viṣṇu will be pleased if this poison is subdued.” Understanding the peril and trusting her lord’s might, Pārvatī silently consented.
Śiva consumed the poison, holding it in his throat, turning it blue and earning the name Nīlakaṇṭha. The universe praised his unmatched sacrifice.
Churning resumed. From the ocean emerged Kāmadhenu, the divine cow, gifted to the sages. Next came Uccaiḥśravā, a celestial horse claimed by Indra, followed by Airāvata, the majestic four-tusked elephant, also taken by him. Numerous celestial maidens appeared, each taken into divine realms. Then arose the moon, followed by the radiant goddess Śrī (Lakṣmī), whose unparalleled beauty captivated all.
Indra prepared a gem-studded seat for her sacred ablution. Celestial nymphs brought vessels of holy water. Bhūdevī offered sacred herbs. Vasantā presented divine flowers. The cows bestowed pañcagavya—the five sacred substances. The great ṛṣis chanted Vedic hymns and anointed her. Samudra gifted her golden garments; Varuṇa gave the Vyjayanthi garland. Viśvakarmā bestowed exquisite ornaments, and Sarasvatī offered a garland of diamonds. Adorned with unmatched splendor, Śrī was presented to Viṣṇu by Brahmā. The universe rejoiced; celestial music filled the air.
Though the asuras felt envy as Lakṣmī chose Hari, they remained silent. Wherever she glanced, prosperity blossomed.
Following her, another divine beauty arose, whom the asuras claimed with Vāyu’s permission. Then came Dhanvantari, bearing the urn of amṛta. The asuras seized it and rejoiced, believing immortality was now theirs.
Alarmed, the devas appealed to Viṣṇu. Observing the asuras quarreling over their shares, Hari descended in the enchanting form of Mohinī, the divine enchantress. Her graceful movements bewitched both devas and asuras. She offered to distribute the amṛta fairly—but only if none would question her judgment. All agreed.
She separated the two groups and began serving only the devas. Confident in her impartiality, the asuras did not object. However, Rāhu, suspecting deceit, disguised himself and sat among the devas. As he consumed the nectar, Sūrya and Candra alerted Mohinī. Instantly, Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana disc beheaded Rāhu. But having tasted amṛta, his head became immortal and took its place among the planets.
With the mission complete, Hari resumed his divine form, mounted Garuḍa, and returned to Vaikuṇṭha. Thus concluded the Kūrma incarnation.
Through this divine episode, the hidden treasures of the ocean were brought forth, the deadly poison subdued, the goddess of fortune restored to the universe, and the seeds of an eternal cosmic struggle between devas and asuras were sown.
