Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 49
Naimittika-pralaya and the Theology of Kāla: Seven Suns, Saṃvartaka Fire, Flood, and Varāha Kalpa
सात्त्विकेष्वथ कल्पेषु माहात्म्यमधिकं हरेः / तामसेषु हरस्योक्तं राजसेषु प्रजापतेः
sāttvikeṣvatha kalpeṣu māhātmyamadhikaṃ hareḥ / tāmaseṣu harasyoktaṃ rājaseṣu prajāpateḥ
সাত্ত্বিক কল্পত হৰি (বিষ্ণু)ৰ মাহাত্ম্য অধিক; তামস কল্পত হৰ (শিৱ)ৰ; আৰু ৰাজস কল্পত প্ৰজাপতি (ব্ৰহ্মা)ৰ—এনেদৰে কোৱা হৈছে।
Sūta (narrator) describing Purāṇic doctrinal classification of kalpas by guṇa
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It implies a single supreme reality expressed through different divine functions: preservation (Hari), dissolution/transformative power (Hara), and creation (Prajāpati), whose prominence varies with the guṇa-character of a kalpa.
No specific practice is taught directly; the verse provides a doctrinal frame used in Kurma Purana’s yoga-theology—guiding devotees to contemplate Īśvara’s one power appearing as different deities according to cosmic conditions (guṇa and kalpa).
It presents a synthesis: Hari and Hara are not rivals but alternate emphases within different guṇa-dominated cosmic cycles, supporting the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian Shaiva–Vaishnava unity.