Editing Kurma (section)

=== Skanda Purana ===
{| class="wikitable"
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! rowspan="2" |[[Skanda Purana|Skanda]]
!References
!Notes
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|'''Part 1:''' 8.89, 9–12;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12961|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 1|last=N.A|date=1950|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 2:''' 47.12-15;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13010|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 2|last=N.A|date=1950|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 3:''' Uttarardha: 11.8-11;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.20835|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 3|last=N.A.|date=1951|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 4:''' Venkatacala Mahatmya: 11, 20.81, 36.20-26;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13009|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 4|last=N.A|date=1951|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 5:''' Purusottama-Ksetra Mahatmya: 15.30, 22.32-43;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.20756|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 5|last=N.A.|date=1951|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 6:''' Margasirsa Mahatmya: 3.23-29;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.20761|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 6|last=N.A.|date=1951|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 7:''' Vasudeva-Mamatmya: 9–14, 18.12-20, 27.32-33;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13008|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 7|last=N.A|date=1951|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 8:''' Setu Mahatmya: 3.81-82, 37.15-20, 46.31-36;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.22054|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 8|last=N.A.|date=1953|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 9:''' Dharmaranya Khanda: 19.16, 20.20-23;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.21994|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART. 9|last=N.A.|date=1953|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 10:''' Purvardha: 8.100, 29.17-168, 32.69-71, 41.102, 50;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13007|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.10|last=N.A|date=1953|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 11:''' Uttarardha: 51, 70.69;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13006|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.11|last=N.A|date=1955|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 12:''' Avantiksetra Mahatmya: 42.12-14, 44 63.83;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.22009|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.12|last=N.A.|date=1955|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 14:''' Reva Khanda: 7;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.100076|title=The Skanda-purana Part.14|last=Not Available|date=1957}}</ref> '''Part 15:''' Reva Khanda: 151.1-17, 181.56-65, 182.1-22;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.20778|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.15|last=N.A.|date=1957|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 17:''' Nagara Khanda: 144.117;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13004|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.17|last=N.A|date=1958|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 18:''' Nagara Khanda: 210, 262.21-22, 271.245-455;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13003|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.18|last=N.A|date=1960|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 19:''' Prabhasa-Ksetra Mahatmya: 7.17-37, 11.18, 32.100-103a, 81.23-24;<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13002|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.19|last=N.A|date=1960|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> '''Part 20:''' Prabhasa Khanda: 167.33, 199.11-12<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13000|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.20|last=N.A|date=1960|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref>
|Nothing notable in parts 13 or 16.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.20764|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.13|last=N.A.|date=1955|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. DELHI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13005|title=THE SKANDA-PURANA PART.16|last=N.A|date=1958|publisher=MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD, DELHI}}</ref> Part 15 relates that Hamsa, one of Kasyapa's sons, became the mount of [[Brahma]] (221.1-6)
|}

{{blockquote|As the Ocean of Milk was being churned, the mountain sank deep into [[Patala#Rasatala|Rasatala]]. At that very instant, the Lord of [[Rama]], [[Vishnu|Visnu]], became a tortoise and lifted it up. That was something really marvellous... The excellent mountain had [[adamant]]ine strength. It rolled on the back, neck, thighs, and space between the knees of the noble-souled tortoise. Due to the friction of these two, submarine [i.e. underwater] fire was generated.|source=Skanda Purana (Unknown translator, 1951), Part 1, Chapter 9, Verses 86 and 91}}
[[File:Watercolour painting on paper of Bṛhaspati, a Vedic deity holding a lotus flower.jpg|left|thumb|230x230px|The sage [[Bṛhaspati]], who curses [[Indra]] in some accounts of the [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]].]]
In the [[Skanda Purana]] four accounts of the [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]] are given. In the first, the churning of the [[Kshir Sagar|ocean of Milk]] takes place after [[Indra]] is cursed by the sage [[Bṛhaspati|Brhaspati]], resulting in the disappearance of [[Lakshmi]], misery to all, and ruin of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], defeated in battle by the [[asura]]s who take their precious items such as gems to [[Patala]]. On the advice of [[Brahma]], Indra and the devas make a pact with [[Mahabali|Bali]], leader of asuras, to recover the gems from the Ocean of Milk. Unable to move the Mandara mountain to use as a churning rod, [[Vishnu]] is asked for help, who arrives on [[Garuda]], takes the mountain to the ocean, and incarnates as Kurma. [[Vasuki]] is used as the churning rope. The Kalakuta poison generated envelopes the devas and [[Daitya]]s - causing ignorance and lust - before enveloping all existence (including [[Vaikuntha]]) and reducing the [[World egg|cosmic egg]] to ash (Part 1: 9). [[Shiva]] is approached for refuge, and the origin and need to worship [[Ganesha]] to 'achieve success in undertaking' is explained before Shiva drinks the poison (Part 1: 10). More information on Ganesha-worship is given before the churning resumes, producing many auspicious items and beings, including Lakshmi (Part 1: 11). [[Dhanvantari]] emerges with the nectar of immortality ([[Amrita]]), which is taken by the asuras. Vishnu incarnates as [[Mohini]], and despite warning Bali that 'Women should never be trusted by a wise man' is still given the nectar which She gives to the devas (Part 1: 12).

In the second account, Indra is again cursed by the sage [[Bṛhaspati|Brhaspati]] (Part 7: 8), resulting in the disappearance of [[Lakshmi|Laksmi]], and with her, an absence of 'Penance, Purity, Mercy, Truth... True [[Dharma]], Prosperity... Strength [and] [[Sattva]] (quality of goodness)'. Hunger, poverty, anger, lust, flesh-eating, and perverse-thinking abound, including belief that [[adharma]] is [[dharma]], and perverse interpretations of the [[Vedas]] to justify killing animals (Part 7: 9). [[Vishnu]] is approached for refuge by the devas and instructs them to churn the [[Kshir Sagar|Ocean of Milk]] (Part 7: 10). Indra forms a pact with the asuras, [[Shesha|Sesa]] is used as a churning rope with the Mandara Mountain, and Vishnu incarnates as Kurma as the base. After a thousand years of churning the poison [[Halahala]] is generated and swallowed by Shiva; the drops that fell are taken by serpents, scorpions, and some [[Medicine|medicinal]] plants (Part 7: 11). The churning continues for another thousand years, producing auspicious items and beings, including Laksmi (Part 7: 12). [[Dhanvantari]] emerges with the pitcher of [[Amrita]] which is taken by the asuras, and Vishnu assumes 'a marvellously beautiful feminine form that enchanted all the world' ([[Mohini]]). Despite warning the asuras not to trust her, Mohini is given the Amrita which is handed to the devas before the asuras are destroyed in battle (Part 7: 13).
[[File:Raja Ravi Varma, Mohini (Oleograph).jpg|thumb|200x200px|[[Mohini]], the female enchantress avatar of [[Vishnu]].]]
In the third brief account, the churning takes place after 'a great loss of gems due to wicked souls' and the loss of righteousness. [[Vasuki]] is used as the churning cord as the devas and asuras 'placed the main plant of activity on the back of the (divine) tortoise and churned out the precious gems'. Many auspicious items and beings are generated, including Sura (alcohol; in other accounts [[Varuni]]) and [[Dhanvantari]]. Quarreling ensues between the devas and asuras, and Vishnu incarnates as 'the fascinating form of a woman' ([[Mohini]]) to beguile the demons as [[Indra]] gives them the Sura and via 'sleight of hand' takes the [[Amrita]]. Halahala poison is also generated which is consumed by [[Shiva]] (Part 12: 44).

In the fourth account, the legend is briefly retold by [[Vishvamitra|Visvamitra]]. The details are much the same as the previous accounts, with Vasuki as the cord as the 'Kacchapa (Tortoise incarnation of [[Vishnu|Visnu]]) held up (the mountain)', including the Kalakuta poison drunk by [[Shiva]] and the incarnation of [[Mohini]] to trick the asuras. The notable exception is that the churning first produces a 'hideous' family of three of [[Samudra manthan|Ratnas]] (jewels); rejected by both the devas and [[Danava (Hinduism)|Danavas]], they are accepted by Ka (i.e. [[Brahma]]; Part 18: 210).

Notably, reminiscent the account of [[Prajapati]] and the [[Tortoise]] in the [[Taittiriya Shakha|Taittiriya Aranyaka]] (see above), there is also an account, during the time of the universal dissolution, when [[Brahma]] 'assumed the form of a ''Khadyota'' ([[Firefly]], Glow-worm)' and moved about for a thousand divine years before finding 'the Lord [<nowiki/>[[Vishnu]]] asleep in the form of a tortoise'. Woken by Brahma, Vishnu 'got up ejecting the three worlds that had been swallowed at the time of the close of the [previous] [[Kalpa (aeon)|Kalpa]]' with all creation - including the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], [[Danava (Hinduism)|Danavas]], moon, sun, and planets - being generated from and by Him. Vishnu also sees the Earth 'was in the great ocean perched on the back of the tortoise' (Part 14: Reva Khanda: 7). Other details include:

* Kurma is mentioned to have held the Mandara Mountain (Part 1: 8.89);
* After being resorted to by [[Tara (Devi)|Tara]] and 'Permeated by her, Kurma, the sire of the universe, lifted up the [[Vedas]]' (Part 2: 47.12-15)
* Exploring the [[Lingam|Linga]] of [[Shiva]], 'The primordial Tortoise that was stationed as the bulbous root of the Golden Mountain as well as its support was seen by Acyuta [Vishnu]'; It is also by Shiva's blessing that [[Shesha|Sesa]], Kurma, and others are capable of bearing the burden of that Linga (Part 3: Uttarardha: 11.8-11)
* After [[Varaha]] lifted the earth out of the waters, [[Vishnu]] 'placed the Elephants of the Quarters, the King of Serpents and the Tortoise for giving her extra support. That receptacle of Mercy ([[Hari]]) willingly applied his own [[Shakti|Sakti]] (power) in an unmanifest form as a support for them all' (Part 4: Venkatacala Mahatmya: 36.20-26); [[Bhrigu|Bhrgu]] also states Kurma supports the earth (Part 15: Reva-Khanda: 182.1-22); and [[Shesha|Sesa]] and Kurma are also later stated to stabilise the Earth (Part 17: Nagara Khanda: 144.117)
* Kurma is mentioned where [[Vishnu]] is stated to be the annihilator in the form of [[Rudra]] (Part 5: Purusottama-Ksetra Mahatmya:  22.32-43)
* Kurma is named as one of 12 incarnations of [[Vishnu]], who states to [[Brahma]]:

{{blockquote|When the sons of [[Kashyapa|Kasyapa]] (i.e. [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]] and [[Asura]]s) will churn the ocean for (obtaining) nectar, I [<nowiki/>[[Vishnu]]], assuming the form of a tortoise, will bear on my back Mount Mandara used as the churning rod.|source=Skanda Purana (Unknown translator, 1951), Part 7, Chapter 18, Verses 12-20}}

* In the procedure for [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] [[Mandala]] construction, [[Matsya]] and Kurma should be installed in the South-West and depicted as animals below the waist but in human form above (Part 7: Vasudeva-Mamatmya: 27.32-33)
*It is stated that the [[Lingam|Linga]] of [[Shiva]] evolved from 'the back of a tortoise (shell)' (Part 9: Dharmaranya Khanda: 19.16) and that 'The [[Bījā|Bija]] [origin] of Vahni (Fire) is accompanied by (the seed of) [[Vayu|Vata]] (Wind) and the Bija of Kurma (tortoise)' (Part 9: Dharmaranya Khanda: 20.20-23)
*It is stated that 'Like a tortoise that withdraws all its limbs, he who withdraws the sense-organs though the proper procedure of [[Pratyahara]] shall become free from sins' (Part 10: Purvardha: 41.102)
*[[Kumari (goddess)|Kumari]] - the [[Shakti]] of Kurma - has a noose in her hand and is located to the south of [[Lakshmi|Mahalaksmi]] (Part 11: Uttarardha: 70.69)
*'Kurma' is one of the thousand names ([[Vishnu Sahasranama]]) of [[Vishnu]] (Part 12: Avantiksetra Mahatmya: 63.83)
*Kurma is listed in the [[Dashavatara]], or ten primary incarnations of Vishnu (Part 15: Reva-Khanda, 151.1-7)
*[[Bhrigu|Bhrgu]] refers to a Ksetra (temple) that stands on Kaccapa (i.e. a tortoise) and states there will be a city named after Him, ''Bhrgukaccha'' (Part 15: Reva-Khanda: 182.1-22)
*The star constellations in the form of Kurma (i.e. the tortoise) are discussed, where it is also stated Kurma is stationed in [[Bharata Khanda|Bharata]] and faces the east (Part 19: Prabhasa-Ksetra Mahatmya: 7.17-37 and 11.18)
*A Holy spot called Prabhasa in [[Bharata Khanda|Bharata]] is located to the south-west of the shrine of Kurma (Part 20: Prabhasa Khanda: 167.33)