Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 71
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
ततः संहृत्य तद्रूपं हरिर्नारायणः प्रभुः / स्वमेव परमं रूपं ययौ नारायणाह्वयम्
tataḥ saṃhṛtya tadrūpaṃ harirnārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ / svameva paramaṃ rūpaṃ yayau nārāyaṇāhvayam
তেতিয়া প্ৰভু হৰি—নাৰায়ণ—এ গ্ৰহণ কৰা সেই ৰূপ সংহৰি, ‘নাৰায়ণ’ নামে খ্যাত নিজৰ পৰম স্বৰূপলৈ পুনৰ গ’ল।
Sūta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic narrative
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as capable of manifesting a form for a purpose and then reabsorbing it, abiding in His own “parama-rūpa”—a transcendent identity beyond temporary appearances.
The verse implies the yogic principle of saṃhāra (withdrawal): turning back from outward manifestation to the supreme ground—akin to pratyāhāra and samādhi in Yoga-śāstra, where multiplicity is gathered into the One.
By stressing the Supreme Lord’s transcendence and sovereign freedom to assume and withdraw forms, it supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the highest reality is one, approached through Śaiva or Vaiṣṇava names and modes without contradiction.