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चतुर्थ अध्ययन : कूर्म
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FOURTH CHAPTER: KURMA : INTRODUCTION
Title-Kurma means turtle. This amphibian has a unique constitution. Nature has provided it with an extremely hard and large outer shell for the protection of its body. This outer shell is so hard that humans use it as shield. The structure of the rest of its body is such that it can extend and pull back its neck and limbs out and in from this natural shield. This creature has been presented as a symbol to emphasize the importance of shielding the senses from foes like distortions and perversions. The story also reveals the bad effects of irrational curiosity and wavering attitude. In spiritual context this metaphor has also been used in the Gita besides other Jain canons.
Gist of the Story-Outside the town named Varanasi, on the north-eastern side of the river Ganges was a lake named Mritgangateerhrid. Flocks of a variety of aquatic animals including turtles abounded it. Near that lake was a large thicket in which lived two evil jackals. One day late in the evening two turtles came out of the lake and started moving around at the bank in search of food. Those two evil jackals saw the turtles and moved in their direction.
When the turtles saw the jackals they withdrew their limbs and neck into the shell. In this state they stopped where they were; absolutely immobile and still like a ball at rest. The jackals tried their best but failed to cause any damage or pain to the hard outer shell of the turtles. Dejected they returned to their lonely den and waited quietly without moving or stirring.
When one of the turtles observed that sometime had passed since the jackals had left the place, it slowly pushed out one of its limbs. The waiting jackals at once pounced on the turtle with great speed and force. They tore at the exposed limb of the turtle with their paws, broke it apart with their jaws, consumed the flesh and licked the bones clean. The turtle brought out all its limbs one after the other out of curiosity and the jackals consumed all the four limbs and the neck. Once the turtle was dead the jackals devoured all its flesh and blood.
Both those evil jackals then went near the other turtle and once again tried to kill it. But this turtle did not push out any of its limbs and so the jackals failed to do any damage. Tired and defeated they returned into their den dejected.
After some time, when the turtle realized that the jackals had gone far away, it slowly stretched its neck out and carefully watched all around. Finding no danger lurking nearby, it at once pushed out all its four limbs, ran with all its power and speed and entered the lake.
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VG QAnna
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CHAPTER-4 : KURMA
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