Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Vārāṇasī (Avimukta) Māhātmya and the Catalogue of Guhya-Tīrthas
ते प्रणम्य महात्मानं जग्मुः पैलादयो द्विजाः / वासं च तत्र नियतो वाराणस्यां चकार सः
te praṇamya mahātmānaṃ jagmuḥ pailādayo dvijāḥ / vāsaṃ ca tatra niyato vārāṇasyāṃ cakāra saḥ
فانحنى الحكماء من ذوي الولادتين—وفي مقدّمتهم بايلا—ساجدين لتلك النفس العظيمة ثم انصرفوا. أمّا هو، ثابت العزم منضبط السلوك، فاتّخذ مقامه هناك في فاراناسي.
Narrator (Purana-samvada frame; the verse is narrative, not direct speech)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
Indirectly: it emphasizes reverence to a “mahātman” and the disciplined resolve (niyata) needed for higher realization—preparatory virtues that the Kurma Purana associates with spiritual knowledge.
The key cue is “niyataḥ” (disciplined/self-restrained), pointing to niyama-like observances and steadiness of conduct—foundational for Purāṇic Yoga and for the Pāśupata-oriented ethic of regulated living.
This specific verse does not explicitly mention Shiva or Vishnu; it supports the Purana’s broader synthesis by foregrounding tirtha-residence (Kashi) and disciplined life as shared Shaiva–Vaishnava spiritual ground.