Shloka 27
Commencement of the Upari-bhāga: The Sages Request Brahma-vidyā; Vyāsa Recalls the Badarikā Inquiry and Śiva–Viṣṇu Theophany
कः संसारयतीशानः को वा सर्वं प्रपश्यति / किं तत् परतरं ब्रह्म सर्वं नो वक्तुमर्हसि
kaḥ saṃsārayatīśānaḥ ko vā sarvaṃ prapaśyati / kiṃ tat parataraṃ brahma sarvaṃ no vaktumarhasi
ജീവികളെ സംസാരചക്രത്തിലേക്ക് നയിക്കുന്ന ആ ഈശാനൻ ആര്? എല്ലാം ദർശിക്കുന്നവൻ ആര്? അതിനപ്പുറം ഒന്നുമില്ലാത്ത പരതര ബ്രഹ്മം എന്ത്? ഇതെല്ലാം ഞങ്ങളോട് അരുളിച്ചെയ്യണമേ।
Sages (inquiring of Lord Kūrma/Īśvara in the Ishvara Gita setting)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It frames the central Upaniṣadic inquiry: the Supreme reality is that “Brahman” beyond which nothing higher exists, identified with the all-seeing Lord who governs saṃsāra—pointing to one ultimate principle behind both immanence (seeing all) and transcendence (beyond all).
This verse initiates the contemplative approach of the Ishvara Gita: first discern the supreme cause (Īśvara/Brahman) and the mechanism of bondage (saṃsāra). In the Kurma Purana’s yoga framework, such inquiry (vicāra) becomes the basis for disciplined practice—devotion, meditation on the all-seeing Lord, and knowledge leading toward liberation.
By using the Shaiva title “Īśāna” while asking about the highest “Brahman,” the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology: the supreme Lord addressed through Shaiva language is ultimately the same highest reality taught as Brahman, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava viewpoints.