Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 178
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
त्वं हर्ता सर्वलोकानां कालात्मा ह्यैश्वरी तनुः / स्तूयते विविधैर्मन्त्रर्वेदविद्भिर्विचक्षणैः
tvaṃ hartā sarvalokānāṃ kālātmā hyaiśvarī tanuḥ / stūyate vividhairmantrarvedavidbhirvicakṣaṇaiḥ
أنت ساحبُ العوالم كلِّها إلى طيّها؛ بل أنت الزمانُ نفسُه (كالا)، متجسّدًا في الهيئة الإلهية السيّدة. يسبّحك العارفون بالڤيدا، الحكماءُ البصيرون، بمناجاةٍ ومانترا شتّى.
A sage/reciter offering stuti (hymn) to the Supreme Lord (Hari as Īśvara, identified with Time)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as kālātmā—Time as the very essence—indicating an all-governing, immanent Īśvara who withdraws the cosmos at pralaya, transcending individual worlds while pervading them.
The verse supports īśvara-smaraṇa through mantra and Vedic recitation: meditation on the Lord as Kāla (the power that dissolves all) cultivates vairāgya, steadiness of mind, and devotion aligned with Pāśupata-flavored contemplation of Īśvara’s sovereignty.
By praising one Īśvara as the cosmic Time-principle praised by Veda-knowers, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian stance: the supreme sovereignty (aiśvarya) attributed to Hari is equally the hallmark of Rudra-Śiva in Purāṇic synthesis.