Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 49
Naimittika-pralaya and the Theology of Kāla: Seven Suns, Saṃvartaka Fire, Flood, and Varāha Kalpa
सात्त्विकेष्वथ कल्पेषु माहात्म्यमधिकं हरेः / तामसेषु हरस्योक्तं राजसेषु प्रजापतेः
sāttvikeṣvatha kalpeṣu māhātmyamadhikaṃ hareḥ / tāmaseṣu harasyoktaṃ rājaseṣu prajāpateḥ
ಸಾತ್ತ್ವಿಕ ಕಲ್ಪಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಿ (ವಿಷ್ಣು)ಯ ಮಹಾತ್ಮ್ಯ ಹೆಚ್ಚೆಂದು; ತಾಮಸ ಕಲ್ಪಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹರ (ಶಿವ)ನದು; ರಾಜಸ ಕಲ್ಪಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಜಾಪತಿ (ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ)ನದು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ।
Sūta (narrator) describing Purāṇic doctrinal classification of kalpas by guṇa
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It implies a single supreme reality expressed through different divine functions: preservation (Hari), dissolution/transformative power (Hara), and creation (Prajāpati), whose prominence varies with the guṇa-character of a kalpa.
No specific practice is taught directly; the verse provides a doctrinal frame used in Kurma Purana’s yoga-theology—guiding devotees to contemplate Īśvara’s one power appearing as different deities according to cosmic conditions (guṇa and kalpa).
It presents a synthesis: Hari and Hara are not rivals but alternate emphases within different guṇa-dominated cosmic cycles, supporting the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian Shaiva–Vaishnava unity.