Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 39
Kapālamocana: The Cutting of Brahmā’s Fifth Head, Śiva’s Kāpālika Vow, and Purification in Vārāṇasī
यस्य वेदविदः शान्ता निर्द्वन्द्वा ब्रह्मचारिणः / विदन्ति विमलं रूपं स शंभुर्दृश्यते किल
yasya vedavidaḥ śāntā nirdvandvā brahmacāriṇaḥ / vidanti vimalaṃ rūpaṃ sa śaṃbhurdṛśyate kila
هو الذي يدرك العارفون بالويدا من الزهّاد—الهادئون، المتحرّرون من ثنائيات الأضداد، والثابتون في البراهماتشاريا—صورته النقيّة التي لا دنس فيها؛ فهو حقًّا يُرى شَمبهو، الربّ المبارك.
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) teaching in a Śaiva-Vaiṣṇava synthesis context
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It portrays the Supreme as a “stainless form” realized through inner purity—peace, freedom from dualities, and disciplined brahmacarya—indicating that true vision is a yogic-gnostic realization rather than a merely external sight.
The verse emphasizes core sādhana markers aligned with Pāśupata-leaning discipline: śānti (settled mind), nirdvandva (equanimity beyond opposites), and brahmacarya (conservation and purification of vital energy), supported by Vedic study and contemplation.
By presenting the realized “stainless form” as Śaṃbhu while spoken within the Kurma Purana’s Vishnu-centered narration, it supports a non-sectarian, non-dual reading where the Supreme is one, named and approached as Śiva/Śaṃbhu without contradiction to Vaiṣṇava devotion.