From: adi_shakthi16 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 1, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Subject: [shivayoga] A Turtle is a Turtle not a Tortoise says Saint Poet Avvaiyaar ........
To: Shivayoga@yahoogroups.com
I am really awe struck at this Krishna78's knowledge and wisdom ! He
is able to state spiritual truths injecting a lot of Humor in them!
Kurmaaa ? or vegetable Korma ? a favorite dish of mine with a lot of
juicy coconut! lol!
Let me share what i know about the symbolism of Turtle ( Tortoise-
kurma) in Hinduism!
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!sO DON'T BE ATTACHED TO POSSESIONS!
instead be posseded with the love of lord Krisha , the kurma avatara!
Btw , MOTHER TURTLE - rEAD THESE LINES from Shakespeare's
'The Phoenix and the Turtle'
So they lov'd, as love in twain
Had the essence but in one;
Two distincts, division none:
Number there in love was slain.
Hearts remote, yet not asunder;
Distance, and no space was seen
'Twixt the turtle and his queen:
But in them it were a wonder.
So between them love did shine,
That the turtle saw his right
Flaming in the phoenix' sight;
Either was the other's mine.
and btw - The QUEEN MOTHER IS YOU AND THE PRINCE CHARMING IS YOUR
TURTLR ! no duality there - only advaita!
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