Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
दंष्ट्राकरालो योगात्मा युगान्तदहनोपमः / समारुह्यात्मनः शक्तिं सर्वसंहारकारिकाम् / भाति नारायणो ऽनन्तो यथा मध्यन्दिने रविः
daṃṣṭrākarālo yogātmā yugāntadahanopamaḥ / samāruhyātmanaḥ śaktiṃ sarvasaṃhārakārikām / bhāti nārāyaṇo 'nanto yathā madhyandine raviḥ
দাঁত-ভয়ংকর, যোগাত্মা স্বয়ং-স্বরূপ, যুগান্তের অগ্নির ন্যায় দীপ্ত—নিজের সর্বসংহারকারিণী শক্তিতে আরূঢ় অনন্ত নারায়ণ মধ্যাহ্নসূর্যের মতো জ্যোতির্ময় হন।
Narratorial voice (Purana narrator describing the cosmic manifestation of Narayana/Vishnu)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents Nārāyaṇa as “yogātmā”—the Supreme whose very being is Yoga and Selfhood—indicating that the Lord is not merely a deity with a form, but the inner Self who can manifest cosmic powers (śakti) for creation and dissolution.
Rather than a technique, the verse emphasizes the ontological core of Yoga: the Lord as yogātmā (the essence of Yoga). For Kurma Purana-style Yoga-shastra reading, it points to contemplation on Īśvara’s radiant, all-powerful presence—steadfast awareness of the Supreme who governs even pralaya.
By stressing Yogic supremacy and śakti (a key Shaiva idiom) while naming Nārāyaṇa as the infinite Lord, the verse supports the Purana’s synthesis: the same Supreme Īśvara can be spoken of through both Vaishnava (Nārāyaṇa) and Shaiva-Yogic (śakti, yogātmā, pralaya) frameworks.