Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7
Prākṛta Sṛṣṭi and Pralaya: From Pradhāna to Brahmāṇḍa; Trimūrti Samanvaya
गन्धवर्णरसैर्हेनं शब्दस्पर्शविवर्जितम् / अजरं ध्रुवमक्षय्यं नित्यं स्वात्मन्यवस्थितम्
gandhavarṇarasairhenaṃ śabdasparśavivarjitam / ajaraṃ dhruvamakṣayyaṃ nityaṃ svātmanyavasthitam
তেওঁ গন্ধ, বৰ্ণ আৰু ৰসৰ দ্বাৰা গ্ৰাহ্য; কিন্তু শব্দ আৰু স্পৰ্শবিহীন। তেওঁ অজ, অজৰ, ধ্ৰুৱ, অক্ষয়—নিত্য স্বাত্মাত অৱস্থিত।
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing sages on the nature of the Supreme Self
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents the Self as eternal, imperishable, and self-established—ultimately beyond sensory limitation, not subject to decay or change.
The verse supports dhyāna on the nitya, akṣayya Self: withdrawing attention from sense-objects and contemplating the steady, self-abiding Reality (a key contemplative move compatible with Pāśupata and broader yogic discipline).
By describing one Supreme, sense-transcending Reality (Īśvara/Ātman), it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative approach where sectarian forms (Śiva/Vişṇu) point to the same imperishable principle.