Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 33
Naimittika-pralaya and the Theology of Kāla: Seven Suns, Saṃvartaka Fire, Flood, and Varāha Kalpa
व्याप्तेष्वेतेषु लोकेषु तिर्यगूर्ध्वमथाग्निना / तत् तेजः समनुप्राप्य कृत्स्नं जगदिदं शनैः / अयोगुडनिभं सर्वं तदा चैकं प्रकाशते
vyāpteṣveteṣu lokeṣu tiryagūrdhvamathāgninā / tat tejaḥ samanuprāpya kṛtsnaṃ jagadidaṃ śanaiḥ / ayoguḍanibhaṃ sarvaṃ tadā caikaṃ prakāśate
যেতিয়া এই সকলো লোক অগ্নিয়ে তিৰ্যক আৰু ঊৰ্ধ্ব দিশে ব্যাপ্ত কৰে, তেতিয়া সেই তেজত লীন হৈ সমগ্ৰ জগত ধীৰে ধীৰে তপ্ত লোহাৰ গুটিৰ দৰে হয়; আৰু তেতিয়া এক অবিভক্ত পোহৰ হিচাপে প্ৰকাশ পায়।
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in a Purana dialogue context (cosmology and dissolution teaching)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By describing the universe, at dissolution, as appearing as “one light,” the verse points to an underlying non-dual reality in which multiplicity resolves into a single radiance—an image used to contemplate the Self as undivided consciousness beyond names and forms.
The verse supports pralaya-anusandhāna (contemplation of dissolution): the yogin meditates on the withdrawal of the elements into tejas and finally into an undifferentiated unity, aiding vairāgya (dispassion) and steadiness of mind aligned with Pāśupata-oriented renunciation and devotion.
Though not naming Shiva or Vishnu directly, the teaching that all appears as one radiance aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: the supreme tejas can be contemplated as the one Ishvara praised in both Shaiva and Vaishnava idioms, emphasizing unity over sectarian difference.