Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
कृत्वा तु सुमहद् युद्धं विष्णुना तेन निर्जितः / पुर्वसंस्कारमाहात्म्यात् परस्मिन् पुरुषे हरौ / संजातं तस्य विज्ञानं शरण्यं शरणं ययौ
kṛtvā tu sumahad yuddhaṃ viṣṇunā tena nirjitaḥ / purvasaṃskāramāhātmyāt parasmin puruṣe harau / saṃjātaṃ tasya vijñānaṃ śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayau
Tras librar una guerra inmensa, fue vencido por aquel Viṣṇu. Sin embargo, por el poder de las impresiones antiguas (pūrvasaṃskāras), despertó en él el verdadero discernimiento acerca de Hari, el Purusha supremo; y acudió a refugiarse en Aquel que es Refugio de todos, digno de amparo.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator continuing the account; framed within the Kurma Purana’s dialogue tradition)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It points to awakening of vijñāna (clear, discriminative knowledge) toward Hari as the parasmin puruṣa—implying the Supreme Reality is the highest Person to be realized and relied upon, not merely an external victor but the ultimate ground of refuge.
The verse emphasizes pūrvasaṃskāra—the residual force of prior sādhana. In Yoga-śāstra terms, repeated practice and purification leave latent impressions that mature into vijñāna, culminating in śaraṇāgati (wholehearted resort to the Lord) as a decisive spiritual turning.
By stressing realization and refuge in the Supreme Person (Hari) rather than sectarian rivalry, it supports the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis: ultimate divinity is approached through true knowledge and surrender, transcending conflict and affirming unity in the highest principle.