Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34
Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching
Iśvara-Gītā Prelude
इयं सा परमा शक्तिर्मन्मयी ब्रह्मरूपिणी / माया मम प्रियानन्ता ययेदं मोहितं जगत्
iyaṃ sā paramā śaktirmanmayī brahmarūpiṇī / māyā mama priyānantā yayedaṃ mohitaṃ jagat
हीच ती परमा शक्ती—माझ्याच स्वरूपमयी, ब्रह्मरूपिणी। ही माझी प्रिया अनंत माया आहे, जिने हे जग मोहित झाले आहे।
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) speaking in the Purāṇic teaching mode, presenting a Śakti–Māyā doctrine compatible with Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava synthesis
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as possessing an intrinsic Śakti: Māyā is described as “of my essence” and “Brahman-formed,” implying that the one Reality appears as the world through its own power, while delusion belongs to the level of manifestation, not to Brahman itself.
The verse supports a key yogic discrimination used in Pāśupata-leaning and Vedāntic practice: recognizing Māyā as the principle of moha (bewilderment) and turning the mind from world-appearance to Brahman-awareness through viveka (discernment) and īśvara-smaraṇa (God-remembrance).
By teaching Brahman, Śakti, and Māyā in a universal, non-sectarian register, it aligns with the Kūrma Purāṇa’s Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava synthesis: the Supreme Lord (whether spoken of as Viṣṇu/Kūrma or Śiva/Īśvara in other contexts) is one, and the same cosmic power explains creation and delusion.