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Notably, the poems do not refer to the Churning of the Milky Ocean myth associated with the Kūrma avatāra of Visnu who supports the Mount Mandara, rather, as discussed in the Introduction, they pertain to Kūrma's role as Dharanidhara, support of the earth, a role said to be played by a successful monarch who supports the earth over which he rules. To Dharani-dhara, Kūrma as well as the great King Bhojadeva, we dedicate this monograph.
Mumbai, June 2002
V. M. Kulkarni, Devangana Desai
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