Kurma Dwadashi Vrat Katha

Sage Durvasa says - "O Sage! Just as the Dwadashi of Margashirsha is known as Matsya Dwadashi Vrat, similarly the Dwadashi Vrat of Pausha month is called Kurma Dwadashi Vrat. In this very month, the deities performed Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) and obtained Amrita (nectar). At that time, on the Dashami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha of Pausha month, Lord Narayana himself descended in the form of a tortoise (Kachhap). Therefore, this is the favorite date of Lord Shri Hari who assumed the Kurma form.

In this vrat, the observer should perform the rituals like bathing on the Dashami Tithi according to the previously mentioned method and worship Lord Janardana with devotion on the Ekadashi Tithi. O best of sages! The mantras for worship are different. It is necessary to worship Lord Shri Hari through those mantras. While chanting these mantras: 'Om Kurmaya Namah', 'Om Narayanaya Namah', 'Om Sankarshanaya Namah', 'Om Vishokaya Namah', 'Om Bhavaya Namah', 'Om Subahave Namah', and 'Om Vishalaya Namah', one should duly worship the feet, waist, belly, chest, throat, arms, and head region of Lord Shri Hari respectively.

After that, one should say "Salutations to the Lord". Again, while chanting the name mantra, worship the Supreme Lord Shri Hari with wonderful offerings like sandalwood, flowers, incense, fruits, and Naivedya. Then, placing a Kalash (pot) in front, install a golden idol of Lord Kurma according to one's capacity on it and also install an idol of Mandarachal. Decorate the Kalash with garlands and clean clothes. Then, after putting gems in the Kalash, place a copper vessel filled with ghee on top and install the idol in it.

Afterwards, worship a Brahmin well-versed in the Vedas and donate the idol to him. While donating the idol, make a resolution (Sankalpa) in your mind - "Tomorrow I will worship the Brahmins with Dakshina etc. according to my strength. May Lord Narayana, the God of gods, who appeared in the form of Kurma, be pleased with me through this worship." After that, sit and eat with your servants.

O Brahmin! By completing the work in this way, the sins of the observer are destroyed. There should be no other thought in this. That person, leaving the cycle of the world, resides in the eternal abode of Lord Shri Hari. All his sins are destroyed instantly and being endowed with wealth and prosperity, he moves forward on the path of truth. By observing the Kurma Dwadashi Vrat with devotion, the accumulated sins of a man from many births are destroyed. The fruit that was first described for Matsya Dwadashi, the observer of Kurma Dwadashi also obtains the same fruit and Lord Narayana is easily pleased with him."

॥ Thus ends the Kurma Dwadashi Mahatmya described in Shri Varaha Purana ॥