Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 53
Devadāru (Dāruvana) Forest: The Delusion of Ritual Pride, the Liṅga Crisis, and the Teaching of Jñāna–Pāśupata Yoga
मोहयामास वपुषा नारीणां कुलमीश्वरः / कन्यकानां प्रिया चास्य दूषयामास पुत्रकान्
mohayāmāsa vapuṣā nārīṇāṃ kulamīśvaraḥ / kanyakānāṃ priyā cāsya dūṣayāmāsa putrakān
باتخاذه هيئةً فاتنة، أوقع ذلك الربّ القدير نساءَ البيوت في الوهم والافتتان؛ ثم إذ صار محبوبًا لدى الفتيات، ساق الفتيانَ الصغار إلى الفساد.
Narrator (Purāṇic discourse voice, traditionally Sūta/compilers) describing the agent of adharma
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It does not directly define Ātman; instead it warns that fascination with form (vapuṣ) can delude the mind and destabilize dharma—an implicit reminder that discernment is needed to turn from appearances toward the inner Self.
No explicit practice is taught here; the verse functions as a caution against sense-delusion, supporting the Yogic discipline of indriya-nigraha (restraint of the senses) and vigilance against मोह (moha), which obstructs dhyāna.
It does not mention Shiva–Vishnu unity explicitly; it belongs to the Purāṇic ethical narrative layer that sets the stage for later synthetic teachings where devotion and yoga are used to overcome moha and restore dharma.