Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 122
Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching
Iśvara-Gītā Prelude
ततः स भगवान् विष्णुः कूर्मरूपी जनार्दनः / रसातलगतो देवो नारदाद्यैर्महर्षिभिः
tataḥ sa bhagavān viṣṇuḥ kūrmarūpī janārdanaḥ / rasātalagato devo nāradādyairmaharṣibhiḥ
Kemudian Tuhan Yang Terpuji, Viṣṇu—Janārdana—mengambil rupa Kurma (Kura-kura) lalu turun ke Rasātala; dan Dewa itu diiringi para maharṣi, bermula dengan Nārada.
Purāṇic narrator (Sūta/Vyāsa tradition) describing Lord Vishnu’s Kurma descent
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It implies the Supreme’s freedom (aiśvarya) to assume forms and move through cosmic realms; the Lord remains transcendent yet acts within creation for its order.
No specific technique is taught in this line; it sets the narrative ground for later instruction where sages approach the Lord—an archetype for śravaṇa (listening) and guru-upāsanā as prerequisites to yogic discipline.
By presenting Vishnu as the accessible Supreme guiding sages, it supports the Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis where the one Lord is praised through multiple divine forms and theological idioms, including Shaiva frameworks later in the text.