Long ago, in the vastness of space, the gods and demons decided to churn the ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality. Mount Mandara was chosen as the churning rod, and the serpent Vasuki as the rope. The churning was a mighty effort, but as the mountain began to sink into the ocean, the gods grew anxious.
Seeing the danger, Lord Vishnu took the form of a gigantic turtle—Kurma. With immense calm and strength, Kurma placed himself beneath the mountain, supporting it firmly on his back. The churning continued, lifting treasures from deep inside the ocean. Among the many divine things that emerged was Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, who chose Vishnu as her eternal consort.
Kurma’s story reminds us that stability and support are essential in times of chaos. Without Vishnu’s steadfastness as a turtle, the divine effort would have failed. His quiet strength turned the tide of the cosmic battle between good and evil, showing that true power sometimes lies in patience and stability.