(^288) Light on Yoga
359
13 3. Kurmasana Fourteen* (Plates 363 and 364)
Kiirma means a tortoise. The asana is dedicated to Kiirma the Tortoise
Incarnation of Vi�J?.U, the maintainer of the universe. Many divine
treasures had been lost in a universal flood including amrta (nectar)
with which the gods preserved their youth. To retrieve the lost treasures
the gods entered into an alliance with the demons and jointly under
took to churn the cosmic ocean. Vi�l)U became a great tortoise and
dived to the bottom of the ocean. On his back was Mount Manqara
for the churning stick and round the mountain was twined the divine
serpent Vasuki for the rope. The ocean was churned by the joint efforts
of the gods and demons in pulling the snake and twirling the mountain.
From the churned ocean emerged amrta and various other treasures
including Lak�ml, consort of Vi�J?.U and the goddess of wealth and
beauty.
The pose is given in three stages. The final one resembles a tortoise
with head and limbs withdrawn under its shell and is called Supta
Kiirmasana (Plate 368), the sleeping tortoise pose.
Technique
- Sit on the floor with the legs stretched straight in front. (Plate 77.)