Shloka 21
Mādhayameśvara-māhātmya — Vyāsa at Mandākinī and the Pāśupata Vision
अत्र पूर्वं हृषीकेशो विश्वात्मा देवकीसुतः / उवास वत्सरं कृष्णः सदा पाशुपतैर्वृतः
atra pūrvaṃ hṛṣīkeśo viśvātmā devakīsutaḥ / uvāsa vatsaraṃ kṛṣṇaḥ sadā pāśupatairvṛtaḥ
येथे पूर्वी हृषीकेश—विश्वात्मा देवकीपुत्र कृष्ण—एक वर्ष वास करीत होता, सदैव पाशुपतांनी वेढलेला।
Narratorial voice (Purana narrator describing a sacred site/episode to the listening sages)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By calling Kṛṣṇa “viśvātmā” (the Cosmic Self), the verse presents him as the indwelling Self of all beings, not merely a historical person—supporting a theistic non-dual vision where the Supreme pervades the universe.
The verse signals a Pāśupata milieu—association with Śiva’s devotees—implying disciplined sādhana grounded in devotion, restraint of the senses (Hṛṣīkeśa motif), and living in sanctified company (satsaṅga) at a tīrtha.
It portrays Kṛṣṇa (Vishnu) dwelling “ever surrounded by Pāśupatas,” suggesting harmony rather than rivalry: Vishnu is honored within a Śaiva devotional setting, reflecting the Kurma Purana’s synthesis of Śiva-Vishnu unity.