Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 73
Madhu–Kaiṭabha, Nārāyaṇa’s Yoga-Nidrā, Rudra’s Manifestation, and the Aṣṭamūrti–Trimūrti Teaching
कराभ्यां सुशुभाभ्यां च संस्पृश्य प्रणतार्तिहा / व्याजहरा स्वयं देवः सो ऽनुगृह्य पितामहम्
karābhyāṃ suśubhābhyāṃ ca saṃspṛśya praṇatārtihā / vyājaharā svayaṃ devaḥ so 'nugṛhya pitāmaham
तेव्हा प्रणतांचे दुःख हरिणारा स्वयं देव आपल्या अतिशय शुभ अशा दोन्ही हातांनी स्पर्श करून, पितामह (ब्रह्मा) वर अनुग्रह करून, त्याची चिंता दूर करणारे वचन बोलला।
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the Lord’s act of grace toward Brahmā/Pitāmaha)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It emphasizes the Supreme as compassionate Īśvara who responds to śaraṇāgati (surrender): the Lord tangibly “touches” and relieves distress, showing the Atman/Īśvara not as indifferent abstraction but as conscious, gracious reality.
The key practice implied is praṇāma and inner surrender—humble submission that dissolves fear and agitation. In Kurma Purana’s yogic ethic, such devotion supports steadiness of mind (citta-prasāda), making higher disciplines like dhyāna and īśvara-bhāvanā effective.
By presenting “the Lord” as the universal giver of anugraha (a hallmark of Śaiva theology) while remaining a Vaiṣṇava Purāṇa voice, it reinforces the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the same Supreme grants grace and removes suffering for the surrendered.