358 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 2, Ch. 7

TRANSLATION

The primeval Lord then assumed the tortoise incarnation in order to
serve as a resting place [pivot] for the Mandara Mountain, which
was acting as a churning rod. The demigods and demons were churning
the ocean of milk with the Mandara Mountain in order to extract
nectar. The mountain moved back and forth, scratching the back of
Lord Tortoise, who, while partly sleeping, was experiencing an itching
sensation.

PURPORT

Although it is not in our experience, there is a milk ocean within this
universe. It is accepted even by the modern scientist that there are
hundreds and hundreds of thousands of planets hovering over our heads,
and each of them has different kinds of climatic conditions. Srimad-
Bhagavatam gives much information which may not tally with our present
experience. But as far as Indian sages are concerned, knowledge is received
from the Vedic literatures, and the authorities accept without any hesita-
tion that we should look through the pages of authentic books of
knowledge (sastra-caksusvat). So we cannot deny the existence of the
ocean of milk as stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam unless and until we
have experimentally seen all the planets hovering in space. Since such an
experiment is not possible, naturally we have to accept the statement of
Srimad-Bhagavatam as it is because it is so accepted by spiritual leaders
like Sridhara Svami, Jiva Gosvami, Vigvanatha Cakravarti and others. The
Vedic process is to follow in the footsteps of great authorities, and that is
the only process for knowing that which is beyond our imagination.

The primeval Lord, being all-powerful, can do whatever He likes, and
therefore His assuming the incarnation of a tortoise or a fish for serving a
particular purpose is not at all astonishing. Therefore we should not have
any hesitation whatsoever in accepting the statements of the authentic
scriptures like Srimad-Bhagavatam.

The gigantic work of churning the milk ocean by combined effort of
the demigods and the demons required a gigantic resting ground or pivot
for the gigantic Mandara Hill. Thus to help the attempt of the demigods
the primeval Lord assumed the incarnation of a gigantic tortoise, swim-
ming in the ocean of milk. At the same time, the mountain scratched
His backbone as He was partly sleeping and thus relieved His itching
sensation.
