Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
कृत्वा तु सुमहद् युद्धं विष्णुना तेन निर्जितः / पुर्वसंस्कारमाहात्म्यात् परस्मिन् पुरुषे हरौ / संजातं तस्य विज्ञानं शरण्यं शरणं ययौ
kṛtvā tu sumahad yuddhaṃ viṣṇunā tena nirjitaḥ / purvasaṃskāramāhātmyāt parasmin puruṣe harau / saṃjātaṃ tasya vijñānaṃ śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayau
അത്യന്തം മഹായുദ്ധം നടത്തി അവൻ ആ വിഷ്ണുവാൽ പരാജിതനായി. എങ്കിലും പൂർവസംസ്കാരങ്ങളുടെ മഹിമകൊണ്ട് പരമപുരുഷനായ ഹരിയെക്കുറിച്ച് അവനിൽ വിവേകജ്ഞാനം ഉദിച്ചു; ശരണ്യനായ ആ ശരണത്തേ തന്നെ അവൻ ശരണം പ്രാപിച്ചു।
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator continuing the account; framed within the Kurma Purana’s dialogue tradition)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It points to awakening of vijñāna (clear, discriminative knowledge) toward Hari as the parasmin puruṣa—implying the Supreme Reality is the highest Person to be realized and relied upon, not merely an external victor but the ultimate ground of refuge.
The verse emphasizes pūrvasaṃskāra—the residual force of prior sādhana. In Yoga-śāstra terms, repeated practice and purification leave latent impressions that mature into vijñāna, culminating in śaraṇāgati (wholehearted resort to the Lord) as a decisive spiritual turning.
By stressing realization and refuge in the Supreme Person (Hari) rather than sectarian rivalry, it supports the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis: ultimate divinity is approached through true knowledge and surrender, transcending conflict and affirming unity in the highest principle.