Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 25
Kapālamocana: The Cutting of Brahmā’s Fifth Head, Śiva’s Kāpālika Vow, and Purification in Vārāṇasī
स दृष्ट्वा वदनं दिव्यं मूर्ध्नि लोकपितामहः / तेन तन्मण्जलं घोरमालोकयदनिन्दितम्
sa dṛṣṭvā vadanaṃ divyaṃ mūrdhni lokapitāmahaḥ / tena tanmaṇjalaṃ ghoramālokayadaninditam
ലോകപിതാമഹനായ ബ്രഹ്മാവ് പ്രഭുവിന്റെ ശിരോഭാഗത്തിലെ ആ ദിവ്യ മുഖം കണ്ടു; അതേ ദർശനത്തിലൂടെ ഭയങ്കരവും പ്രബലവും നിന്ദാരഹിതവുമായ തേജോമണ്ഡലത്തെ അവലോകനം ചെയ്തു।
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator, traditionally Sūta/Vyāsa framework) describing Brahmā’s vision
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as an “anindita” (faultless) radiance apprehended through direct vision (darśana), implying a reality that is pure, self-luminous, and beyond worldly judgment even when it appears “ghora” (awe-inspiring).
The verse emphasizes inner “ālokana” (beholding) of tejas—an image consistent with yogic contemplation where the mind becomes steady enough to perceive the divine light without fear, a theme later systematized in Kurma Purana’s Yoga-oriented teachings (including Pāśupata-inflected discipline).
By focusing on a single, blameless, overwhelming divine radiance rather than sectarian markers, the verse supports the Purāṇic non-dual tendency used in the Kurma tradition to harmonize Shaiva and Vaishnava theophanies as expressions of one supreme reality.