Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara
तस्मादनीश्वरानन्यांस्त्यक्त्वा देवानशेषतः / मामेव संश्रयेदीशं स याति परमं पदम्
tasmādanīśvarānanyāṃstyaktvā devānaśeṣataḥ / māmeva saṃśrayedīśaṃ sa yāti paramaṃ padam
અતએવ પરમેશ્વર ન હોય એવા અન્ય દેવોને સંપૂર્ણ ત્યજી, માત્ર મને જ ઈશ્વરરૂપે શરણ લે; તે પરમ પદને પામે છે।
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching the Ishvara Gita to King Indradyumna
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
By calling the ultimate object of refuge “Ishvara” and contrasting Him with non-sovereign deities, the verse points to a single supreme principle as the final goal (paramaṃ padam), implying the highest realization is reached through exclusive orientation to the Supreme Lord.
The verse emphasizes śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and ekānta-bhakti (one-pointed devotion). In the Ishvara Gita context, this functions as a unifying yogic discipline: withdrawing dependence on lesser supports and fixing mind, faith, and practice on Ishvara alone as the direct means to liberation.
In the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology, “Ishvara” denotes the supreme lordship beyond sectarian limitation; the teaching promotes devotion to the one Supreme, a framing that supports Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony by prioritizing the highest Ishvara over merely subordinate divine powers.