Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13
Viṣṇu at Upamanyu’s Āśrama: Pāśupata Tapas, Darśana of Śiva, and Boons from Devī
स तानन्विष्य विश्वात्मा तापसान् वीतकल्मषान् / प्रणामेनाथ वचसा पूजयामास माधवः
sa tānanviṣya viśvātmā tāpasān vītakalmaṣān / praṇāmenātha vacasā pūjayāmāsa mādhavaḥ
Having sought them out, Mādhava—whose Self is the universe—honored those ascetics, purified of every taint, with reverent prostration and with fitting words.
Narrator (Purana narrator describing Madhava/Vishnu’s action)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
By calling Madhava “viśvātmā” (the universal Self), the verse frames the Lord as the indwelling reality pervading all beings, while still acting in the world through dharmic conduct.
The verse highlights tapas (austerity) and inner purification (vīta-kalmaṣa) as marks of realized practitioners, and presents humility and reverence (praṇāma, respectful speech) as supportive disciplines aligned with Purāṇic Yoga and dharma.
While Shiva is not named here, the Kurma Purana’s synthesis is reflected in Vishnu (Madhava) venerating renunciant tapasvins—an ethos central to Shaiva-Pāśupata spiritual culture—showing shared reverence for ascetic purity across traditions.