World bearers : Jörmungandr and Akupara

Norse mythology : Jörmungandr, The Serpent That Circles the World

Long ago, the All-Father Odin looked into the future and saw a great storm coming—a battle that would shake the very foundations of the cosmos. He saw three troublesome children: a wolf, a goddess, and a serpent, who would all play a part.

He cast the serpent, Jörmungandr, into the great ocean that encircles all of Midgard, the world of humans. But Jörmungandr did not drown. He grew. And he grew. He grew so vast that his body stretched across the entire seabed. He grew so long that he could loop himself around the whole world, until one day, he found his own tail in his mouth.

And there he stayed.

The people of Midgard tell stories of a fearsome beast, but they misunderstand his purpose. Jörmungandr is not just a monster. He is the great ring that binds the world. His coils are the deep trenches of the ocean. His scales are the sharp, hidden mountains under the sea. By holding his own tail, he holds the world together. He gives the oceans their boundaries and the lands their shape. He is the great embrace that keeps Midgard whole, a silent, patient guardian in the deep, ensuring the world does not come apart at the seams.

Hindu mythology : Akupara, The Turtle Who Holds the World

A long, long time ago, in the great, endless sky, the world needed someone strong to hold it up. It couldn’t just float by itself—it needed a foundation, a team of patient, powerful guardians.

Deep down in the dark, sparkling waters of the universe lived Adi Shesha, the king of all serpents. He had a thousand heads, and each head wore a glowing jewel that lit up the darkness. Adi Shesha was calm and steady, resting quietly while holding everything above him.

On his wide, scaly coils stood the Cosmic Turtle, Akupāra. His shell was huge and ancient, covered with magical patterns. He was slow, patient, and strong, able to carry incredible weight without ever moving an inch.

On the turtle’s back stood the Four Great Elephants, one at each corner—North, South, East, and West. Their feet were as strong as mountains, their shoulders as solid as rocks. They held up the sky with pride and never wavered, keeping everything above safe and steady.

And resting on the elephants’ broad backs was the Earth itself—all the mountains, forests, rivers, and oceans, sparkling with life.

Who made sure this amazing stack didn’t tip over? Who kept the serpent calm, the turtle steady, and the elephants rooted? That was Lord Vishnu, the great Preserver. In his Kurma form, he guided Akupāra, giving the turtle strength and purpose. His gentle power spread through the whole stack, so that every guardian—serpent, turtle, and elephant—could do its job perfectly.

And so the world is safe, held by this incredible team of friends: a serpent sleeping peacefully in the deep, a turtle standing patiently, four elephants standing tall, and the Earth resting gently on top. Together, they make sure our world spins safely through the stars.