The Symbolism of the TORTOISE in Hinduism .... ..

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Thank you moderators for quoting this wonderful verse from Srimad

Bhagvat Gita !

 

yadaa sa.nharate chaayaM kuurmo.aN^gaaniiva sarvashaH .

indriyaaNiindriyaarthebhyastasya praGYaa pratiShThitaa .. 2\-58..

 

And when this one fully withdraws the senses from the objects of the

senses, as a tortoise wholly (withdraws) the limbs, then his wisdom

remains established.

 

While all the ten Avatars of Sri Vishnu are equally fascinating,

the 'Kurma Avatara' is of special significance.

 

Here i recall the verse from Jayadeva's Gita Govindam :

 

 

"Ksitirati-vipulatare tava tisthati prsthe

dharani-dharanakina-cakragaristhe

Kesava dhrta kacchaparupa

jaya jagagadisa hare!"

 

O Kesava!, in the form of Tortoise (kacchaparupa), On the ample

expanse of your back rests the world, creating circular marks. Hail

Hari ! Lord of the universe!

 

 

The incarnation of God in the Tortoise form during the churning of

the Ocean, signifies that the churning of the ocean of experience

with the churn of knowledge, towards the Absolute can rest only on

the immovable, all-sufficient, all-sustaining basis of self-evident

truth, symbolized by the Tortoise avatara.

 

(http:// home.att.net/~s-prasad/dasavatara.htm )

 

Another explanation goes like this :

 

"Mandhara, the mountain stands for concentration. The word "mandhara"

contains two words "man" (mind) and "dhara" ( a single line) which

means holding the mind in one line. This is possible only during

mental concentration.

 

The mountain mandhara was upheld by Lord Vishnu as a Tortoise. The

tortoise here stands for the withdrawal of the senses into one self

as one practices mental concentration and meditation or

contemplation. It also suggests that the mind should rest itself upon

or freely surrender itself to the divine will."

 

(http://hinduwebsite.com/churning.htm )

 

The point that is being made is It was Lord Vishnu (in the form of a

tortoise) who held the Mandhara mountaqin on His back and prevented

it from sinking into the ocean. The 'tortoise' is a small creature

while compared to a mountain which is huge. A devout Vaishnavite

will say Even the whole world can rest on Lord Vshun's back for he is

all powerful. A yogi might say with the mind focuseed and

contemplating on the name of the Lord and with senses under control.

one can reach the Ultimate .

 

However, how to withdraw the senses from the worldly objects is the

million dollar question.

 

A 'tortoise' is full of symbolism - my son has a whole collection

of 'tortoises' or 'turtles' as he is a student of University of

Maryland- 'terrapins' they are called! i jokingly chide him that in

his next janma he will be a 'tortoise' ! btw ,on a humorous note,

those who are fond of owning too many houses or homes will be a born

as a tortoise in their next janma!

 

Hari Aum!