Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 10
Naimittika-pralaya and the Theology of Kāla: Seven Suns, Saṃvartaka Fire, Flood, and Varāha Kalpa
आत्यन्तिकश्च कथितः प्रलयो ऽत्र ससाधनः / नैमित्तिकमिदानीं वः कथयिष्ये समासतः
ātyantikaśca kathitaḥ pralayo 'tra sasādhanaḥ / naimittikamidānīṃ vaḥ kathayiṣye samāsataḥ
Di sini pralaya ātyantika telah dijelaskan beserta sarananya. Kini akan kukisahkan kepadamu secara ringkas pralaya naimittika.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching the sages (within the Kurma Purana dialogue frame)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
Indirectly: by distinguishing ātyantika-pralaya (a liberative ‘ending’ attained through sādhanā) from cosmic dissolutions, the verse points to moksha as a spiritual realization rather than a mere physical destruction—implying the Self’s transcendence over cyclical cosmic change.
The verse explicitly notes that ātyantika-pralaya was taught “with its means” (sa-sādhana), indicating a soteriological discipline—typically Yoga-śāstra methods such as inner purification, devotion, meditation, and knowledge—before moving on to describe naimittika-pralaya as a cosmological event.
By having Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teach liberation-oriented sādhanā and cosmic dissolution in a Purana known for Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis, the verse supports the non-sectarian stance: the same Supreme Lord instructs both metaphysical liberation and cosmic processes, harmonizing devotional and yogic frameworks.