Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Prākṛta Sṛṣṭi and Pralaya: From Pradhāna to Brahmāṇḍa; Trimūrti Samanvaya
महानात्मा मतिर्ब्रह्मा प्रबुद्धिः ख्यातिरीश्वरः / प्रज्ञाधृतिः स्मृतिः संविदेतस्मादिति तत् स्मृतम्
mahānātmā matirbrahmā prabuddhiḥ khyātirīśvaraḥ / prajñādhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ saṃvidetasmāditi tat smṛtam
On l’appelle le Grand Soi; Il est l’Intellect et Brahman; Il est l’Éveil, la Renommée et le Seigneur. Il est Sagesse, Fermeté, Mémoire et Conscience; c’est pourquoi on se souvient de Lui et on Le nomme ainsi.
Sūta (narrating the Purāṇic teaching of the Supreme as described in the Kurma Purana’s doctrinal section)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It identifies the Supreme as the Mahānātmā—self-luminous Consciousness (saṃvit) that also appears as the inner powers of intellect, wisdom, memory, and steadfastness, showing the One Reality functioning both transcendentally (Brahman) and immanently (as inner faculties).
The verse points to yogic interiorization: recognizing prajñā (insight), dhṛti (steadiness), smṛti (recollection), and saṃvit (pure awareness) as divine supports for meditation—key qualities cultivated in Yoga-shāstra and in Kurma Purana’s ascetic-ethical framework.
By describing the Supreme through universal titles—Brahman and Īśvara—rather than sectarian labels, it supports the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance where the highest Lord can be praised in Shaiva or Vaishnava idioms without contradiction.