Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2
Viṣṇu at Upamanyu’s Āśrama: Pāśupata Tapas, Darśana of Śiva, and Boons from Devī
स्वेच्छयाप्यवतीर्णो ऽसौ कृतकृत्यो ऽपि विश्वधृक् / चचार स्वात्मनो मूलं बोधयन् भावमैश्वरम्
svecchayāpyavatīrṇo 'sau kṛtakṛtyo 'pi viśvadhṛk / cacāra svātmano mūlaṃ bodhayan bhāvamaiśvaram
Though complete in Himself, that Upholder of the universe descended by His own free will; and He moved about, revealing the primal ground of His own Self and awakening the understanding of the Lordly (Īśvara) state of being.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the Lord’s intentional descent and teaching-mission)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as already complete (kṛtakṛtya) and as the very root (mūla) of His own Self—implying the Atman as the foundational reality, not a product of worldly action, while still being the source that can be pointed out through instruction.
The verse emphasizes bodhana—awakening knowledge of aiśvara-bhāva (the Lordly state). In Yogic terms, it points to contemplative discernment of the Self as the root reality, a basis for meditation on Īśvara and inner sovereignty (aiśvarya) rather than merely external ritual.
By focusing on aiśvara-bhāva (the principle of Īśvara) and the Self as the root, it supports the Purāṇic non-sectarian synthesis: the Supreme Lordhood is one reality, taught through different names and forms (often harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava viewpoints).