Akupara (अकूपारः) is the name of a tortoise that lived in a lake in the Himalayas.

Rajarshi Indradyumna fell down from Swargaloka after the punya he acquired through good deeds on earth had apparently exhausted. 

He was told that someone can stay in Swargaloka only as long as his good deeds are remembered on earth.

Indradyumna went to Chiranjeevi Rishi Markandeya and asked whether he remembered him. 

The Rishi did not. 

Then they both went to an owl and a crane who were older than the Rishi. 

Even they did not remember him.

Then finally Akupara, a tortoise who lived in the lake remembered Indradyumna as a great king who had performed 1000 yagas. 

Akupara said that even the lake in which he lived was formed from the footprints of the cows that the king had given away as danam. 

Since Indradyumna was still remembered on earth, he could go back to Swarga.

Knowledge Bank

Speaking untruth for a good purpose

In situations like saving an innocent life, during a marriage, to protect family honor, or in humorous teasing, speaking untruth is not considered wrong. Wise people say such falsehood does not break dharma. Speaking untruth for a good purpose, like protecting dharma, is not sinful.

What is the relationship between Devi and Sanskrit alphabets?

The body of Devi is made up of Sanskrit alphabets. When Mahadeva was moving around with Devi's body after she self-immolated, Vishnu cut her body into fifty-one pieces with Sudarshana chakra. The number 51 corresponds to the number of alphabets in Sanskrit. The places where they fell are the Shakti peethas.