Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 38
Kapālamocana: The Cutting of Brahmā’s Fifth Head, Śiva’s Kāpālika Vow, and Purification in Vārāṇasī
यो ऽथ नाचारनिरतान् स्वभक्तानेव केवलम् / विमोचयति लोकानां नायको दृश्यते किल
yo 'tha nācāraniratān svabhaktāneva kevalam / vimocayati lokānāṃ nāyako dṛśyate kila
Indeed, no other protector of the worlds is seen—save Him who liberates even those devotees of His who are not steadfast in prescribed conduct, solely because they are His own.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu), teaching devotees and sages in the Kurma Purana’s Purva-bhaga discourse context
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It presents the Supreme Lord (Ishvara) as the singular refuge and liberator of all worlds, whose saving power is rooted in sovereign grace rather than being limited by external qualifications.
The verse prioritizes bhakti (exclusive devotion and surrender) as the decisive means; it implies that while ācāra and discipline support Yoga, liberation ultimately depends on steadfast God-centered devotion under Ishvara’s grace.
By emphasizing one supreme “nāyaka” who grants moksha to devotees, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology where the liberating Ishvara is approached through both Shaiva and Vaishnava devotional frameworks.