Vishnu sits on top and at the bottom of mount Madura in his incarnation as Kurma (tortoise,) as the gods and demons churn the ocean to retrieve the nector and other treasures. Gouache painting by an Indian painter.

Some of the treasures retrieved included Lakshmi, Sura, goddess of wine, Chandra or the moon, Uchchaisravas, the white horse, Kaastubha, a jewel, Parijata, celestial wishing tree, Surabhi, cow of plenty, Airavata, the white elephant, Sankha, a conch shell, Dhanus, a mighty bow and Visha, the poison vomited by Vasuki, the snake used as a churning rope.