Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 86
Adhyāya 25 — Liṅga-māhātmya (The Chapter on the Liṅga): Hari’s Śiva-Worship and the Fiery Pillar Theophany
निर्विकाराय सत्याय नित्यायामलतेजसे / नमः शिवाय शान्ताय ब्रह्मणे लिङ्गमूर्तये
nirvikārāya satyāya nityāyāmalatejase / namaḥ śivāya śāntāya brahmaṇe liṅgamūrtaye
السجودُ والتسليمُ لِمَن لا يتغيّر، للحقّ، للأزليّ ذي النور الطاهر الذي لا دنس فيه؛ نَمَسْكارا لِشِيفا—عينِ السكينة—للبَرَهْمَن الذي تجسّدَت صورتُه في اللِّينغا.
Sūta (narrator) presenting a Shaiva stotra within the Purāṇic discourse of the Kurma Purana
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It identifies the Supreme as nirvikāra (unchanging), satya (Truth), nitya (eternal), and amala-tejas (stainless luminosity), describing the Absolute in classical Vedāntic terms while addressing that same Reality as Śiva/Brahman.
The verse supports contemplative Yoga by giving a meditation-object: the peaceful, changeless Brahman envisioned as Śiva in liṅga-mūrti—encouraging śānti (inner stillness) and steady absorption on the formless Absolute through a sacred symbol.
By calling Śiva directly “Brahman” and praising His transcendent qualities, the Kurma Purana advances a synthesis where sectarian forms point to one Supreme Reality—supporting the Purāṇa’s non-sectarian, integrative theology.