Kurma Avatara
The second avatar of Dashavatara is the Kurma avatar. Kurma means tortoise. Vishnu took the form of a turtle to help devas and asuras. They were churning the ocean to receive gifts from the ocean.The devas were once cursed by the Sage named Durvasa, such that they lose all their strength. The demons or asuras, a group of malicious deities in Hindu mythology, tried to overcome them. A war followed, which continued for a long time. Despite fighting bravely, devas could not win over the asuras. They asked Lord Vishnu for help. who advised that only the nectar, which resides at the bottom of the celestial ocean of milk can make them strong again, and they would become immortal. However, the ocean would need to be churned for the nectar to come to the surface, and this was a task they couldn't do alone. They would need to seek the help of the demons/asuras for this, with the lure of the nectar.For the churning of the ocean, the devas sought the help of the mountain Mandara to serve as the churning rod. Vasuki, the king of snakes was approached to serve as the rope for the churning and to be bound around Mount Mandara. The devas were to pull one end of the giant serpent, and the asuras, the other. The demons/asuras held the head of the snake, while the devas, held its tail. The churning went on for 1,000 years. The force of the churning was so great that the mountain began to sink. Lord Vishnu then took the form of a huge turtle (Kurma avatar) and, supported the mountain on his back as an island. The asuras turned pale due to the fumes coming out of the mouth of Vasuki, the snake. Shiva consumed the Halahala and held it in his throat to stop the poison from running down into his stomach. The impact of the poison was such that it turned Shiva's neck blue and hence the name Neelkantha.
Several valuables (14 in total) emerged from the ocean, which was divided by the devas and the asuras. Kamadhenu, the wish-granting cow was taken by Vishnu and given to the sages. Uchhaishravas, the 7-headed horse was given to the demons/asuras. Airavata, the white elephant, was taken by Indra, the king of devas. Parijat, the tree with never-fading blossoms was taken by the devas to Swarga or heaven. Varuni, the creator of wine or alcohol, was taken by the asuras. Then emerged Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. She chose to marry Lord Vishnu. Also produced was Chandra – the Moon, which adorned Lord Shiva's hair. Finally, Dhanvantari, the divine physician emerged, holding a pot of nectar. The devas and asuras both began to fight over it. Garuda, Vishnu's eagle, took the pot and flew away. A few drops of nectar fell in Prayagraj and 3 other places – Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik, where the 'Kumbh Mela' is celebrated once every 12 years. One of the asuras got hold of the pot. The devas then appealed to Vishnu. He took the form of a beautiful woman, Mohini, and distracted the asuras. Volunteering to distribute the nectar to all of them, she gives some nectar each to each of the devas. Rahu-Ketu, an asura, took the form of a deva and joined the line of the devas receiving the nectar. He got a sip. Vishnu immediately cut off the head of the demon, but it had become immortal in two parts – Rahu, the head, and Ketu, the body. Rahu swallows the sun and the moon at regular intervals, causing eclipses. By the time the rest of the asuras realized what was happening and that the beautiful Mohini was Lord Vishnu, the nectar had been distributed to the devas. The rejuvenated devas were able to defeat the asuras in battle and regain their glory.
