Lord Kurma: Worshipped as the second avatar of Lord Vishnu. The gods and the asuras cooperated in the churning to obtain amrita (elixir of immortality), the great serpent Vasuki offered himself as a rope, and Mount Mandara was torn out for use as a churning stick. A firm foundation was required to steady the mountain, so Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and supported the churning stick on his back.