Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 38
Prākṛta-pralaya, Pratisarga Doctrine, and the Ishvara-Samanvaya of Yoga and Devotion
यं यं भेदं समाश्रित्य यजन्ति परमेश्वरम् / तत् तद् रूपं समास्थाय प्रददाति फलं शिवः
yaṃ yaṃ bhedaṃ samāśritya yajanti parameśvaram / tat tad rūpaṃ samāsthāya pradadāti phalaṃ śivaḥ
Whatever distinct conception people adopt and rely upon to worship the Supreme Lord, Śiva assumes that very form and grants the corresponding fruit of their devotion.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on the nature of Ishvara and worship
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme Lord as one reality that can be approached through many conceptual distinctions; the one Ishvara responds by manifesting in the form aligned with the devotee’s adopted understanding, indicating a unity behind apparent plurality.
The verse emphasizes iṣṭa-niṣṭhā—steadfast devotion to one’s chosen form of the Lord—supporting meditative concentration (dhyāna) and one-pointed worship; in the Kurma Purana’s Pāśupata-leaning frame, focused devotion becomes a means to attain the intended spiritual fruit.
By having Kurma (Vishnu) teach that Shiva grants the fruits according to diverse approaches, the text reinforces a non-sectarian, integrative vision: the Supreme is accessible through multiple forms, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava devotion rather than opposing them.