Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.7.13
SB 2.7.13
Open the full passageSanskrit
kṣīrodadhāv amara-dānava-yūthapānām unmathnatām amṛta-labdhaya ādi-devaḥ pṛṣṭhena kacchapa-vapur vidadhāra gotraṁ nidrākṣaṇo 'dri-parivarta-kaṣāṇa-kaṇḍūḥ
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 partially sleeping, was experiencing an itching sensation.