May 22, 2007

Chapter 5: Avatar # 2 : Koorma Avatar





Vishnu informs Lakshmi of his proposed trip to Earth. But Lakshmi reminds him that he should do so only when maanavs are at danger. So Vishnu explains if Daanavs win, then there is obvious danger to maanavs, to ensure this does not happen, he has to go. But what of her? She asks. She cannot live with separation. Vishnu assures her that the ‘coming together’ (milan) after a separation has more thrill and the '‘milan'’ this time will be truly great. He says that even she will come out of the manthan and to Him (Vishnu), she is more great than amruth, for amruth is for Devathas, and she is the embodiment of love and ‘mamtha’ (mother’s affection), which is the only thing that holds the world together. So he praises her for what she is and gets her unto him while he goes down to the ocean as tortoise. Lakshmi is blessed, as usual. Thus starts Koorma Avatar, the second avatar, that of tortoise.

Vishnu, as tortoise, informs Indra that he will hold the Mandar mountain on His back under the ocean whence the manthan can be carried out. All happy. Tortoise takes position. Vasuki’s front end goes to Daanavs. Back end to Devathas.

Both sides start to churn the ocean. The mountain frolics back and forth. Froth is formed. Up comes a pot filled with the aroma of amruth. Daanavs and Devathas’ eyes lit up.


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