Kurma Purana is a compilation of the teachings imparted by Kurma (incarnation of Vishnu as Kurma or tortoise) while narrating the story of Indradyumna at Patala. The Kurma mainly deals with the description of the seven islands and seven oceans and the churning of Amrita. Bharata is situated in the centre of all these islands and ocean and is popularly known as Jambu dvipa. There were originally four samhitas of the Kurma Purana namely, Brahma Samhita, Bhagavad Samhita, Souri Samhita and Vaishnavi Samhita, which provide knowledge about the Kurma Purana but presently, only the Brahma samhita is available now. The Brahmana Samhita of the Kurma Purana includes two parts- Vyagratita and Vyagastitho. It is believed that if the book is to be given as gift along with a golden image of the tortoise it is auspicious.

The mode of narration of this Purana is the conversation between Krishna and the Sun God (mentioned in Bhagavad Gita) and Danvantari. It also describes the Lakshmi Kalpa. This Purana consists of 18,000 verses.

Lord Vishnu, in Kurma avatar (tortoise incarnation), had first preached this Purana to Narad. In his turn, Narad narrated it to Sutji who later narrated this Purana to an assembly of the great sages. Initially, this Purana had four parts, namely, Brahma Samhita, Bhagavad Samhita, Gauri Samhita and Vaishnavi Samhita. Presently, however, none of these Samhitas is available except Brahma Samhita.

The teachings of the Kurma Purana were propagated by the recitation. Lomharshana recited the Kurma Purana to the assembled sages in the forest of Naimisharanya. The Devas were defeated by the Asuras and needed to churn out the "amrita" from the ocean in order to attain immortality. As a result they tricked the Asuras into helping them in this task promising to give the share of Amrita. Mount Mandara was used to stir the ocean while churning the amrita. As the ocean was churned the mountain was making a hole in the earth. Witnessing the upcoming destruction, Lord Vishnu himself assumed the form of a Giant Tortoise and bore the Mountain on his back so that the churning can be continued. At that very time the he recited the Kurma Purana, which became the form of text of this Purana. Later that Kurma or tortoise assumed the form of a beautiful maiden named Mohini to prevent the demons or Asuras from imbibing Amrita.

The existing Brahma Samhita depicts this story of Kurma Purana in two parts- the Purva part and the Uttar part.

The Purva part of the Brahma samhita comprises the tale of Indradyumna, description of Kurma Purana, description of Varnashram, description of the sequence of these ashrams, origin of the geosphere, description of various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, preaching of the gods, description of the self-begotten Manu, destruction of Daksh`s yagya, killing of Hiranyakashipu, Vamana avatar (dwarf incarnation), description of Iksvaku clan, description of Pururava clan, description of Rama and Krishna incarnations, description of Satya, Treta, Dwapar and Kali yugas, greatness of Varanasi, greatness of lingas, greatness of Prayag, Yamuna and other pilgrimages.

The Uttara part khandas deals with the performance of sacrificial duties in the mortal existence. On the essential level Uttara khand of Purana describes the worldly matters and duties to be performed as a mortal being and also denotes the right yoga of unexpressed knowledge, appearance of Devadidev (Rudra) during Tandava, description of metaphysical knowledge, preaching of metaphysical knowledge by God, description of Ash tang Yoga, duties of a celibate, description of edible and non-edible things, rituals to be performed regularly, rituals of dining, description of the duties of a Vanaprasthi, duties of an ascetic, description of expiation, expiation for drinking of wine and greatness of different places of pilgrimage.

Thus like the other Puranas Kurma Puranas also provide information to the eternity of God even in all ages and it provide introduction to the different yogas , which the individuals should perform as a mortal being.