Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18
Brahmā’s Lotus-Birth, the Sealing of the Cosmic Womb, and the Epiphany of Parameśvara
Hari–Hara Samanvaya
एवमाभाष्य विश्चात्मा प्रोवाच पुरुषं हरिः / जानन्नपि महायोगी को भवानिति वेधसम्
evamābhāṣya viścātmā provāca puruṣaṃ hariḥ / jānannapi mahāyogī ko bhavāniti vedhasam
Having spoken thus, Hari—the all-pervading Self of the universe—addressed that Supreme Person. Though he was the great Yogin who already knew, he asked Vedhas (the Creator), “Who are you?”
Narrator (describing Hari/Vishnu speaking to Vedhas/Brahma)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
FAQs
By calling Hari “viśvātmā,” the verse frames the Supreme as the indwelling Self of all beings, beyond mere personal form—hinting that divinity pervades creation as inner consciousness.
The verse highlights yogic omniscience (jñāna born of yoga): Hari is termed “mahāyogī,” indicating mastery of inner knowledge, yet he asks a question to initiate teaching—an instructional method common in yoga-śāstra dialogues.
Indirectly, it models the Purana’s non-sectarian method: the Supreme (Hari as viśvātmā) engages the cosmic creator in inquiry, a pattern later used to harmonize divine functions across traditions, supporting the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis.