Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11
Cosmic Realms Above Dhruva, the Pātālas Below, and the Foundation of Pralaya
Ananta–Kāla
ऊर्ध्वं तद् ब्रह्मसदनात् पुरं ज्योतिर्मयं शुभम् / वह्निना च परिक्षिप्तं तत्रास्ते भगवान् भवः
ūrdhvaṃ tad brahmasadanāt puraṃ jyotirmayaṃ śubham / vahninā ca parikṣiptaṃ tatrāste bhagavān bhavaḥ
梵天の住処のさらに上に、清らかな光より成る吉祥の都がある。聖なる火に囲まれ、そこに世尊バヴァ（シヴァ）が住まわれる。
Narrator (Purāṇic sage describing the cosmic hierarchy and Śiva’s supreme abode)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By portraying Śiva’s realm as “made of light” (jyotirmaya), the verse points to the supreme principle as self-luminous consciousness, transcending lower cosmic stations such as Brahmā’s abode.
While no technique is named explicitly, the imagery of a jyotirmaya (luminous) realm supports dhyāna on inner light and the ascent of awareness beyond conditioned cosmological levels—an orientation consistent with Pāśupata-leaning Śaiva contemplation in the Kurma Purana.
By locating Śiva’s supreme seat beyond Brahmā’s sphere, the verse affirms Śiva’s highest status within the text’s broader synthesis—compatible with the Kurma Purana’s tendency to harmonize Śaiva devotion with Vaiṣṇava Purāṇic authority.