Kurma



Kurma was a turtle. He was the second of Vishnu's dashavatara (ten major avatars). Vishnu took the form of a turtle to aid to gods and Asuras in churning the ocean of milk to obtain, amongst other gifts, the nectar of immortality. The gods used Mount Meru as a rod and placed it upon Kurma's back. After the Asuras grabbed the nectar, or amrita, Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a woman, to charm the Asuras out of their share.