Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rudra’s Samanvaya Teaching
Maṅkaṇaka Episode
तस्य सा परमा माया प्रकृतिस्त्रिगुणात्मिका / प्रोच्यते मुनिर्भिशक्तिर्जगद्योनिः सनातनी
tasya sā paramā māyā prakṛtistriguṇātmikā / procyate munirbhiśaktirjagadyoniḥ sanātanī
مَايَاهُ العُظمى—أي بْرَكْرِتي ذاتُ الغونات الثلاث—يُعلنها الحكماء شاكتي أزلية، رحمًا يخرج منه الكون.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing the sages/seekers on tattva (Prakriti–Purusha) doctrine
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
It distinguishes the Lord (the conscious Supreme) from His manifesting power: Prakṛti/Māyā is His eternal Śakti and the cosmic source, while He remains the possessor/supporter of that power.
The verse supports tattva-viveka used in Yoga: discerning Purusha (the Lord/Self) from Prakṛti (triguṇa Māyā). Such discrimination underlies Pāśupata-oriented renunciation of guṇa-bound identification and steadiness in contemplation.
By presenting a shared metaphysical language—Śakti, Māyā, and triguṇa Prakṛti as the cosmic cause—this teaching aligns Vaishnava and Shaiva frameworks, where the Supreme (Hari/Hara) is one reality with an eternal manifesting power.