Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 60
Nine Creations (Sarga), Guṇa-Streams of Beings, and Brahmā’s Progeny in Cyclic Time
यक्षान् पिशाचान् गन्धर्वांस्तथैवाप्सरसः शुभाः / नरकिन्नररक्षांसि वयः पुशुमृगोरगान् / अव्ययं च व्ययं चैव द्वयं स्थावरजङ्गमम्
yakṣān piśācān gandharvāṃstathaivāpsarasaḥ śubhāḥ / narakinnararakṣāṃsi vayaḥ puśumṛgoragān / avyayaṃ ca vyayaṃ caiva dvayaṃ sthāvarajaṅgamam
Yakṣas, Piśācas, Gandharvas, et de même les Apsaras de bon augure ; Naras, Kinnaras et Rākṣasas ; oiseaux, bétail, bêtes sauvages et serpents : ainsi le monde est présenté en sa double nature, impérissable et périssable, comme création immobile et mobile.
Narrator (Purāṇic discourse, traditionally attributed within Vyāsa’s narration)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By contrasting the perishable (vyaya) with the imperishable (avyaya), the verse points to an enduring principle beyond changing forms—classically read as the inner Self/Brahman that remains while names and forms within creation arise and pass.
No specific practice is prescribed in this verse; it provides a contemplative taxonomy. In Kurma Purana’s broader yoga-teaching style, such enumeration supports viveka (discernment) between the changing field of beings and the imperishable reality, a foundation for dhyāna and Pāśupata-oriented renunciation of mere identification with forms.
It does so indirectly: the twofold creation (mobile/immobile; perishable/imperishable) is presented as a single ordered cosmos, aligning with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where the one Supreme Lord—revered through both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava lenses—governs and pervades all classes of beings.