Kurma Puranam : 11 : The Rishis ask Vishnu to teach them the Kurma Purana, which He taught Indradyumna.
A link to posts on Kurma Puranam and Kurma Avataram on this site : Kurma Puranam, Indradyumna.
An idealized turtle divides the sky into 6 equal areas (60 degrees), Varahamihira and others have referred to this cosmic turtle in this sense. The 8 diggajas or 8 directional elephants divide the sky into 8 equal parts (45 degrees). Thus points are marked at 45, 60, 90, 120, 135, 180, 225, 240, 270, 300, 315 and 360 along the cosmic circle. The tortise thus bears the elephants, in an astronomical interpretation of this description, consistent with Vyasa's way of encoding vedic knowledge into puranas. On this you have the 7 saptarishis, nagas and so on. Terry Pratchett literalizes this in his discworld novels, but for the longest time, that has been the only western understanding of this astronomical model. It also interests me that the Guruji has placed Siva atop this mandara mountain, perpendicular to the circle. That is a clue! Ever since I studied the Purusha Suktham, I always face North along the pole star to chant my Vishnu Sahasranama - that is where I located the other 3 padas of the Purusha, one pada pervades this manifest uniferse, in its unmanifest form. In this context of paratattva, there is no difference between members of the trimurthi, devi, brahman and any other name. This is an area that needs more thought and working out on my part. - Satya. Image Source : http://www.dattapeetham.com/india/festivals/2010/shivaratri2010/feb12-morning/feb12-morning.html
Then rOmaharSaNa sUta, said,
“Thus explained by Hari (Vishnu), Narada and the other RSis (Rishis, Rushis, Scientists, Explorers and Philosophers) alond with s’akra (Indra (Hero, God, Astronomical Point, War Strategist)), questioned that one-of-the-garuDa-flag (Vishnu).
The rishis said,
” Oh dEva (luminary) of the dEvAs, one who has controlled his senses, lord, pure nArAyaNa, tell us that, which was told by you of old, to the wise (vipra) Indradyumna, knowledge that is beyond (unfindable by) dharma and other (Purusharthas – Human Goals).
Even your friend s’akra, is eager to hear O jaganmaya (one who pervades the moving world – jagat!)”
Then that bhagwAn viSNu, in the form of a kUrma, that savior of the people, that dEva who had gone to rasAtala , questioned by nArada and other rishis, spoke the entire, excellent kUrma, purANam.
{As per nArada purANa: the seven lower worlds are atala, vitala, sutala, talatala, mahatala, rasatala and patala.}
I will tell you, that pure (purANa), wonderful (dhanyam), fame giving, longevity giving, which gives which gives Moksha to people.
It is special to listen to or tell this purANa. Having heard even one chapter (adhyAya) of this, one is saved from all pApAs (vikarma – wrong deeds). (Listening to) Even one upAkhyAna (episode, story), will give brahmalOka.
{bhuu, bhuvas, svar, mahas, janas, tapas, and satya (brahma loka) are the seven higher lOkAs.}
This ultimate kUrma purANa told by the adhidaiva of the dEvAs, in his form of a kUrma, must be learned with s’raddhA by the twice born.”
Thus ends, the first adhyaya of the of the first division of six thousand s’lokas of s’rI kUrma purANa.
Time for your little good deed!
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