40 - Kurmadvadashivrata

Durvasas said:

1. Similarly in the month of Pausha (Makara) amruta was churned from the ocean, and then lord Vishnu, on his own accord, became a Kurma (tortoise).

2. The tithi Dashami on the bright half of this month is assigned to Vishnu in the Kurma form.

3. On that day, as before, one should do sankalpa (stating the aim), and on the following (Ekadashi) day take ritualistic bath and worship with all devotion.

4-5. Adoring His feet as Kurma, waist as Narayana, belly as Sankarshana, neck as Purobhava (the first born), the hands as Subahu (fine-armed) and head as Vishala (broad-bodied), and uttering mantras containing the names of the lord, offer sandal, flowers, dhupa and naivedya of a variety of fruits.

6-7. After worshipping, a pot of water with a gem within it should be placed in front and decorated with flowers and white cloth. On it should be placed a copper vessel containing ghee and in it should be placed an image of the lord with Mandara (resting on him) made of gold, and it should then be gifted to a Brahmin in reverence.

8. The next day (on Dvadashi), the lord Kurma-Narayana should be propitiated by giving gifts to Brahmins with dakshina, and food should be taken afterwards.

9. If done in this way, all sins will disappear. You need not have any doubt about this. And it leads one out of the perils of the world, to the abode of Vishnu.

10. All sins disappear instantaneously and he is then born as a righteous man. The sins accumulated over several lives are eradicated by devotion.

11. The benefits stated before accrue to him and Lord Narayana becomes very much pleased.

Summary of chapter 40 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:

Maharshi Pulastya recounts the origin of the sacred pilgrimage site Kedāra-tīrtha, detailing how its holy waters were blessed by Parameśvara Śiva to cleanse all sins and bestow liberation upon earnest seekers. Interwoven with this sacred geography is the history of the formidable demon Mura, who performed severe penances to obtain boons of invincibility and terrorized the devas across the three worlds. Bhagavān Vishṇu entered into battle against Mura, ultimately slaying the demon and establishing His divine protection over all who seek refuge at holy tīrthas like Kedāra.