Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 30
Viṣṇu at Upamanyu’s Āśrama: Pāśupata Tapas, Darśana of Śiva, and Boons from Devī
त्वां न पश्यन्ति मुनयो यतन्तो ऽपि हि योगिनः / तादृशस्याथ भवतः किमागमनकारणम्
tvāṃ na paśyanti munayo yatanto 'pi hi yoginaḥ / tādṛśasyātha bhavataḥ kimāgamanakāraṇam
Selbst die Weisen, ja selbst die sich mühend übenden Yogins, erblicken Dich nicht. Was also ist für Einen wie Dich der Grund, hierher zu kommen?
The sages (munis) addressing the manifested Lord (Hari/Kūrma)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It implies the Supreme is not an object grasped by ordinary effort or perception; even accomplished yogins may not ‘see’ Him unless He chooses to be revealed—pointing to a transcendent Ishvara beyond the senses and ego-driven striving.
The verse references strenuous yogic endeavor (yatna) and the limitations of tapas and meditation when divorced from divine grace; in the Kurma Purana’s spiritual frame, disciplined yoga is honored, yet fruition culminates in Ishvara-prasada (the Lord’s favor).
By stressing one Supreme reality who is difficult to perceive even for yogins, the verse supports the Purana’s non-sectarian thrust: the highest Ishvara—known as Vishnu or Shiva in different doctrinal idioms—becomes accessible through revelation and grace rather than mere sectarian identity.