Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 192
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
एको ऽन्तरात्मा बहुधा निविष्टो देहेषु देहादिविशेषहीनः / त्वमात्मशब्दं परमात्मतत्त्वं भवन्तमाहुः शिवमेव केचित्
eko 'ntarātmā bahudhā niviṣṭo deheṣu dehādiviśeṣahīnaḥ / tvamātmaśabdaṃ paramātmatattvaṃ bhavantamāhuḥ śivameva kecit
The one Inner Self abides in many ways within bodies, yet is free of all distinctions such as body and the like. You are the Reality denoted by the word ‘Self’—the truth of the Supreme Self (Paramātman); therefore some indeed declare You to be Śiva.
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) teaching in a Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis context
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It states that the one Inner Self dwells in all bodies without being limited by bodily differences, and that this very indwelling Self is the Supreme Reality (Paramātman-tattva).
The verse points to ātma-vicāra and non-dual contemplation: meditating on the single, attribute-free indwelling Self present in all beings—an orientation consistent with the Kurma Purana’s yogic discipline aimed at Self-realization.
By identifying the Supreme Self as the ultimate referent of ‘Ātman’ and noting that some call that Supreme Reality ‘Śiva,’ it supports a non-sectarian, non-dual synthesis where the highest truth transcends names like Śiva and Viṣṇu.