Lord Kurma or Koorm is the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the
form of a Tortoise. According to the legend it is believed that mountain
Mandara was used as a churning stick and it began to sink in the sea
bed. This crisis made Lord Vishnu assume the form of a tortoise. Then
Lord dived into the bottom of the sea and his back served as the pivot
for the churning stick. The incarnation in the form of Kurma symbolizes
the development of life. This is so because when the ability to breathe
air and walk out of water developed hence the turtle became the symbol
of perseverance.
