Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Yuga-Dharma: The Four Ages, Decline of Dharma, and the Rise of Social Order
ततस्तेषु प्रनष्टेषु विभ्रान्ता मैथुनोद्भवाः / अभिध्यायन्ति तां सिद्धिं सत्याभिध्यायिनस्तदा
tatasteṣu pranaṣṭeṣu vibhrāntā maithunodbhavāḥ / abhidhyāyanti tāṃ siddhiṃ satyābhidhyāyinastadā
Alors, lorsque ces appuis eurent disparu, les êtres nés de l’union charnelle, égarés et troublés, se mirent à méditer sur cet accomplissement suprême ; et, en ce temps-là, ils devinrent contemplateurs de la Vérité.
Narratorial voice within the Purāṇic discourse (contextually aligned with the Kurma Purana’s teaching stream)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It implies that when transient supports collapse, the seeker turns inward toward Satya—pointing to an enduring Reality beyond perishing objects, which aligns with the Purāṇic emphasis on the imperishable Self/Truth as the ground of realization.
The verse emphasizes abhidhyāna (steady contemplation/meditation), especially satyābhidhyāna—truth-centered dhyāna—suggesting a yogic pivot from outward confusion to sustained inner focus that culminates in siddhi (spiritual accomplishment).
While not naming Shiva or Vishnu directly, its focus on Satya as the highest contemplative object fits the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: ultimate Truth is approached through yogic contemplation beyond sectarian labels, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava frames of liberation.