Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 138
Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara
भवत्प्रसादादचला शरण्ये गोवृषध्वजे / इदानीं जायते भक्तिर्या देवैरपि दुर्लभा
bhavatprasādādacalā śaraṇye govṛṣadhvaje / idānīṃ jāyate bhaktiryā devairapi durlabhā
Por Tu gracia, oh Refugio de todos, oh Señor cuyo estandarte lleva al toro, nace ahora en mí una devoción inconmovible, devoción difícil de alcanzar incluso para los dioses.
A devotee-supplicant addressing the Lord (in the Ishvara Gita setting, spoken to the Supreme as Govṛṣadhvaja—expressing Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis).
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It implies that realization-oriented devotion is not merely a human achievement but arises through the Supreme Lord’s prasāda; the Highest is approached as the ultimate refuge who bestows steadfast inner orientation (acalā bhakti).
The verse foregrounds prasāda as the enabling power behind steady practice: in Pashupata-oriented discipline, unwavering bhakti stabilizes mind and conduct, making meditation and worship effective rather than mechanical.
By addressing the Supreme with the Shaiva epithet “Govṛṣadhvaja,” the Kurma Purana presents a non-sectarian vision where the one Ishvara is praised through both Shaiva and Vaishnava names, emphasizing unity over division.