The Kurma (tortoise/turtle) avatar of Lord Vishnu is inextricably tied to the churning of the sea (samudra manthan) story from the Puranas. And the fact is that this story has so many things happening of which the Kurma avatar forms only a small part of. I have therefore started this story with events which lead up to the samudra manthan and go on beyond the avatar to present a logical conclusion to the story. This effectively means that this avatar will be covered in approximately three posts. I therefore request all readers to kindly bear with me and read through all three parts of this story with patience.
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Sage Durvasa was a son of Atri and Anusuya and was considered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva himself. He had taken a vow of insanity due to which his short temper was legendary. Even the gods and kings of the age were extremely fearful of his legendary temper and his terrible curses. In this state of insanity, even wise men were considered ‘devils’ by everybody.
Once when he was wandering the earth in his frenzied state, he suddenly saw a beautiful garland in the hands of a nymph. This garland was made with flowers from the trees of heaven and emanated an extremely fragrant smell which spread through the entire forest and enamored everybody in the surrounding vicinity with the sweetness of its fragrance.
Durvasa immediately demanded that the nymph hand over the garland to him which she reverentially did without any hesitation. He then garlanded himself and set upon continuing his journey, when he happened to come across Indra, the ruler of the three worlds (the heavens, the earth and the nether world), who was seated on an infuriated Airavata (the elephant which was his steed) and attended to by the other gods. In his angry state, the sage gave the garland to Indra, who promptly garlanded Airavata with the same. As it is, the elephant was already in an angry state of mind, and the garland served to irritate it further and it promptly took it and flung it upon the ground.
Highly incensed at this disrespectful treatment of his gift, Durvasa addressed Indra thus
“You are completely intoxicated with your power as the ruler of the three worlds and have therefore insulted this special garland which was the dwelling of Fortune (Sri). Instead of acknowledging the wonderful gift and placing it around your neck, you have misused it.
Since you have not treated this wondrous gift with the respect it deserved, your sovereignty over the three worlds shall end. You have treated me on par with other normal Brahmins and for this arrogance, you shall pay. Just like you threw the garland I gave you to the ground, your dominion over this universe also shall be destroyed.
You have offended me, Durvasa, whose temper and rage is dreaded by all created things and even me, you vile proud creature.”
Hearing these words Indra hastily descended from his elephant and immediately fell at the sage’s feet begging for his forgiveness. But despite all his excuses and prostrations Durvasa refused to withdraw his curse.
“I do not have a compassionate heart nor does forgiveness exist in my nature. Other sages and Brahmarishis may relent to your excuses and prostrations, but know this; I am Durvasa and am a stranger to remorse. I will not forget this insult nor will I forgive your transgression” he said and walked away.
<<Part 2 of the story>>
