Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
शरण्यं शरणं देवं शंभुं सर्वजगन्मयम् / ब्रह्माणं लोककर्तारं त्रातारं पुरुषं परम् / कूटस्थं जगतामेकं पुराणं पुरुषोत्तमम्
śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ devaṃ śaṃbhuṃ sarvajaganmayam / brahmāṇaṃ lokakartāraṃ trātāraṃ puruṣaṃ param / kūṭasthaṃ jagatāmekaṃ purāṇaṃ puruṣottamam
Me refugio en el Dios que es refugio de todos—Śambhu—que lo penetra todo en el universo; que es Brahmā, hacedor de los mundos; el Protector, el Purusha Supremo; el Inmutable, el Kūṭastha que mora como sostén interior; el Uno de todos los seres; el Antiguo, el Purushottama, el Más Alto.
A devotee/narrative voice offering a Śiva-stuti (hymn of refuge) within the chapter’s discourse
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
By calling Śambhu “kūṭastha” (immutable) and “eka” (one), the verse points to the Supreme as the unchanging inner ground of all changing worlds—transcendent yet present as the indwelling Puruṣa.
The verse foregrounds śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a core discipline: steadying the mind on the one immutable Lord (kūṭastha-eka) through devotion, remembrance, and contemplative recognition of the Divine as pervading all (sarvajaganmaya).
By naming Śambhu as “Puruṣottama” and also identifying him with the creator-function (“Brahmāṇaṃ lokakartāram”), the verse reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology: one Supreme reality expressed through multiple divine names and cosmic roles, supporting Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava non-sectarian unity.