Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 170
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
कृत्वाथ पार्श्वे भगवन्तमीशो युद्धाय विष्णुं गणदेवमुख्यैः / शिलादपुत्रेण च मातृकाभिः स कालरुद्रो ऽभिजगाम देवः
kṛtvātha pārśve bhagavantamīśo yuddhāya viṣṇuṃ gaṇadevamukhyaiḥ / śilādaputreṇa ca mātṛkābhiḥ sa kālarudro 'bhijagāma devaḥ
Then Īśa, having stationed the Blessed Viṣṇu at his side for battle, approached as the divine Kālarudra, accompanied by the foremost of the Gaṇa-deities, by Śilāda’s son, and by the Mātṛkās.
Purāṇic narrator (Sūta/Vyāsa tradition), describing the scene
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
By placing Viṣṇu beside Īśa in a single coordinated action, the verse implies a unified divine agency—suggesting that the Supreme reality can operate through multiple theistic forms without contradiction.
No direct yogic technique is taught in this verse; its spiritual import is devotional and theological—encouraging integrated reverence to Īśa-Rudra and Viṣṇu, a hallmark of the Kurma Purana’s synthetic orientation that later supports Pāśupata-style discipline and worship.
It depicts coordinated unity: Īśa advances for battle with Viṣṇu at his side, presenting them as allied and mutually affirming manifestations of divine power rather than rivals.