Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 62
Viṣṇu at Upamanyu’s Āśrama: Pāśupata Tapas, Darśana of Śiva, and Boons from Devī
त्वं ब्रह्मा हरिरथ विश्वयोनिरग्निः संहर्ता दिनकरमण्डलाधिवासः / प्राणस्त्वं हुतवहवासवादिभेद- सत्वामेकं शरणमुपैमि देवमीशम्
tvaṃ brahmā hariratha viśvayoniragniḥ saṃhartā dinakaramaṇḍalādhivāsaḥ / prāṇastvaṃ hutavahavāsavādibheda- satvāmekaṃ śaraṇamupaimi devamīśam
You are Brahmā; You are also Hari (Viṣṇu). You are Agni, the womb of the universe; You are the Destroyer; You abide in the orb of the Sun. You are prāṇa, the vital breath; and You appear as the differentiated powers such as Agni and Vāsava (Indra) and the rest. To You alone—the One without a second—I come for refuge, O divine Lord Īśa.
A devotee/sage offering a hymn of surrender within the Purva-bhaga narrative frame (stuti addressed to the Supreme Īśa identified with multiple deities).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents one supreme Īśa as the underlying reality behind Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Agni, Indra, the Sun, and even prāṇa—implying a single divine essence manifesting as many functions and powers.
The verse emphasizes śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and one-pointed contemplation of the One Lord as present in all cosmic functions (creation, preservation, dissolution) and within life-breath (prāṇa), a key meditative support in Purāṇic yoga and devotion.
By addressing the supreme as Īśa while simultaneously identifying Him with Hari and the cosmic destroyer, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: sectarian forms are honored, yet the ultimate Lord is one and non-exclusive.