Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
ततः संचोदितो दैत्यो हिरण्याक्षस्तदानुजः / ध्यात्वा पशुपतेरस्त्रं ससर्ज च ननाद च
tataḥ saṃcodito daityo hiraṇyākṣastadānujaḥ / dhyātvā paśupaterastraṃ sasarja ca nanāda ca
അപ്പോൾ പ്രേരിതനായ ദൈത്യൻ ഹിരണ്യാക്ഷൻ—തന്റെ ഇളയ സഹോദരനോടുകൂടെ—പശുപതി (ശിവൻ) അസ്ത്രം ധ്യാനിച്ച് അതു പ്രയോഗിച്ചു; പിന്നെ ഉച്ചത്തിൽ ഗർജിച്ചു।
Sūta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic battle to the sages
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
Indirectly: it shows that extraordinary power (astra) is accessed through dhyāna—inner concentration—implying that efficacy flows from subtle consciousness and mantra rather than mere physical force.
Dhyāna as a means of mantra-astra invocation: focused contemplation on the deity (Paśupati) precedes action, reflecting a Purāṇic model where intention (saṅkalpa) and meditative alignment activate spiritual power.
By presenting Paśupati’s weapon as a recognized, potent divine force within a Vaiṣṇava Purāṇa, it reinforces the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance—Śiva’s śakti and Vaiṣṇava narrative coexist without sectarian exclusion.