Naama 323-333: Kurma Avataram

323. prāṇadaḥ · प्राणदः

The one who, in the form of the tortoise, gave the devas the strength to churn the milky ocean.

(oṃ) prāṇadāya namaḥ

His mantra says, "To Him who is endowed with unlimited strength and power" (ananta bala vapuṣē). Without His strength, the devas could never have churned the ocean.

324. vāsavānujaḥ · वासवानुजः

The one who was born as the younger brother of Indra (Vasava) to help him obtain the nectar that he desired.

(oṃ) vāsavānujāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar explains that the Lord was born as the younger brother of Indra in order to help him get the nectar that he wished to have. This name is shared with His Vamana incarnation, where too He was born as Indra's younger brother.

325. apāṃnidhiḥ · अपांनिधिः

The one who sustained the great ocean while it was being churned.

(oṃ) apāṃnidhayē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar's words are "mathyamāna mahārṇava dhāraṇāt apāṃ nidhiḥ", "He sustained the great ocean while it was being churned."

326. adhiṣṭhānam · अधिष्ठानम्

The one who served as the support for the Mandara mountain as it revolved while the ocean was being churned.

(oṃ) adhiṣṭhānāya namaḥ

It is said, "O great sage! He was the support for the revolving Mandara mountain at the time of churning" (mandarādrēḥ adhiṣṭhānaṃ bhramatō'bhūnmahāmunē). Without the Lord's support as the tortoise, the mountain would have sunk into the ocean.

327. apramattaḥ · अप्रमत्तः

The one who is extremely careful and attentive in protecting those who are in distress.

(oṃ) apramattāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Purana, which describes how the Lord, in the form of the tortoise, held the mountain on His back without any carelessness, so that the churning could continue until the nectar emerged.

328. pratiṣṭhitaḥ · प्रतिष्ठितः

The one who depends only on His own greatness without looking to anyone else for help.

(oṃ) pratiṣṭhitāya namaḥ

When the question "Where is Bhagavan firmly established?" was asked, the reply was, "In His own greatness."

स्कन्दस्स्कन्दधरो धुर्यो वरदो वायुवाहनः ।

वासुदेवो बृहद्भानुरादिदेवः पुरन्दरः ॥ ३६ ॥

skandasskandadharō dhuryō varadō vāyuvāhanaḥ |

vāsudēvō bṛhadbhānurādidēvaḥ purandaraḥ || 36 ||

329. skandaḥ · स्कन्दः

The one who Himself dries up and destroys the asuras and other evil-doers.

(oṃ) skandāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Vishnu Purana, where the Lord says that He Himself dries up (destroys) the asuras who are enemies of the devas (svayamasurādīn skandayati – śōṣayati iti skandaḥ).

330. skandadharaḥ · स्कन्दधरः

The one who supports Skanda, the commander-in-chief of the army of the devas.

(oṃ) skandadharāya namaḥ

Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, "Among the commanders of armies, I am Skanda."

331. dhuryaḥ · धुर्यः

The one who bears the burden of the whole world.

(oṃ) dhuryāya namaḥ

His mantra says, "To Him who bears the world" (bhuvana bhṛtē). The word dhur means a yoke or burden; the Lord bears the burden of the whole world.

332. varadaḥ · वरदः

The one who grants the required boons to the devas and others who are entrusted with carrying out the affairs of the world.

(oṃ) varadāya namaḥ

The Lord bestows the necessary boons on the devas and others who are responsible for carrying out the affairs of the world, so that the world functions smoothly.

333. vāyuvāhanaḥ · वायुवाहनः

The one who drives Vayu, the life-breath of the world.

(oṃ) vāyuvāhanāya namaḥ

The Taittiriya Upanishad says, "Out of fear of Him, the wind blows" (bhīṣāsmādvātaḥ pavatē). It is the Lord who drives the wind, the very breath of life.