Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 115
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
जायन्तो मानुषे लोके क्षीणपापचयास्ततः / ईश्वराराधनबलाद् गच्छध्वं सुकृतां गतिम् / वर्तध्वं मत्प्रसादेन नान्यथा निष्कृतिर्हि वः
jāyanto mānuṣe loke kṣīṇapāpacayāstataḥ / īśvarārādhanabalād gacchadhvaṃ sukṛtāṃ gatim / vartadhvaṃ matprasādena nānyathā niṣkṛtirhi vaḥ
Being born again in the human world, and with your accumulated heaps of sin thereby exhausted, by the power of worshipping the Lord (Īśvara) you shall proceed to the auspicious path attained through merit. Abide by My grace—there is no other true expiation and deliverance for you.
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu as Īśvara), instructing seekers
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It emphasizes Īśvara as the decisive refuge: liberation/expiation is not merely mechanical karma-management but culminates in divine prasāda (grace), implying the Self’s highest good is reached through surrender to the Lord who transcends and purifies karmic residue.
The verse highlights Īśvara-ārādhana (devotional worship) as a yogic power that burns accumulated pāpa and redirects the seeker toward sukṛta-gati; in Kurma Purana’s synthesis, this aligns with disciplined worship, purity, and God-centered practice rather than austerity alone.
By centering on “Īśvara” and “My grace,” it reflects the Purana’s non-sectarian theological stance: the Supreme Lord (Īśvara) is the ultimate savior regardless of Shaiva/Vaishnava naming, with grace as the common liberating principle.