Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 45
Īśvara-gītā (Adhyāya 2) — Ātma-svarūpa, Māyā, and the Unity of Sāṅkhya–Yoga
एष आत्माहमव्यक्तो मायावी परमेश्वरः / कीर्तितः सर्ववेदेषु सर्वात्मा सर्वतोमुखः
eṣa ātmāhamavyakto māyāvī parameśvaraḥ / kīrtitaḥ sarvavedeṣu sarvātmā sarvatomukhaḥ
मैं वही आत्मा हूँ—अव्यक्त, मायाधारी परमेश्वर—जो समस्त वेदों में कीर्तित है; मैं सबका आत्मा हूँ, सर्वदिशाओं में व्याप्त मुख वाला।
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) speaking as the Supreme Ishvara
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It identifies the Supreme Lord with the Atman itself—unmanifest yet present as the inner Self of all beings—thus presenting a non-dual, all-pervading Self that the Vedas proclaim.
While no technique is listed explicitly, the verse functions as a meditation-supporting teaching: the practitioner is to contemplate Ishvara as avyakta (beyond form) and as sarvātmā (indwelling in all), a key orientation for Purāṇic yoga and Pāśupata-leaning theism that culminates in inner realization.
By using the title Parameśvara and describing the one Lord as the Veda-proclaimed all-pervading Self, the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s synthetic stance: the supreme reality addressed as Vishnu (Kurma) is equally the supreme Ishvara revered in Shaiva idiom, emphasizing unity over sectarian difference.