Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 10
Yati-Āśrama: Bhikṣā-vidhi, Īśvara-dhyāna, and Prāyaścitta
Mahādeva as Non-dual Brahman
प्राग्रात्रे पररात्रे च मध्यरात्रे तथैव च / संध्यास्वह्नि विशेषेण चिन्तयेन्नित्यमीश्वरम्
prāgrātre pararātre ca madhyarātre tathaiva ca / saṃdhyāsvahni viśeṣeṇa cintayennityamīśvaram
In the early part of the night, in the later part of the night, and likewise at midnight—and especially at the twilight junctions (sandhyā) of the day—one should constantly contemplate Īśvara.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on daily discipline of Īśvara-smṛti
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
By prescribing uninterrupted contemplation of Īśvara across the day-night cycle, the verse implies that the Supreme Reality is not confined to a single ritual moment; steady recollection is a means to abide in the inner Self that is approached through Īśvara.
It emphasizes nitya-dhyāna (daily, continual meditation) and sandhyā-upāsanā (twilight worship) as disciplined time-anchors—early night, late night, midnight, and especially the sandhyās—aligning the practitioner’s mind with Īśvara in a Puranic Yoga framework.
It centers practice on the single principle of Īśvara, a term the Kurma Purana often uses in a synthesizing way—supporting a non-sectarian approach where devotion and meditation culminate in one Supreme Lord beyond narrow distinctions.