Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53
Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching
Iśvara-Gītā Prelude
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य कदाचित् परमा कला / स्वरूपं दर्शयामास दिव्यं विष्णुसमुद्भवम्
tasyaivaṃ vartamānasya kadācit paramā kalā / svarūpaṃ darśayāmāsa divyaṃ viṣṇusamudbhavam
Ketika dia terus berada dalam keadaan demikian, pada suatu ketika Kuasa Tertinggi menyingkapkan kepadanya rupa-Nya sendiri—bercahaya dan ilahi, yang terbit daripada Viṣṇu.
Sūta (narrator) describing the unfolding vision/revelation in the opening narrative frame
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames realization as a direct manifestation (darśana) of the Supreme—experienced as the unveiling of the true form (svarūpa) through the Supreme Power (paramā kalā), implying that ultimate truth is known by revelation/realization rather than mere inference.
The verse implies sustained inner absorption—“while he continued in that state” (tasyaivaṁ vartamānasya)—a classic Purāṇic marker of dhyāna/samādhi culminating in divine vision, consistent with Kurma Purana themes later systematized as disciplined yoga and devotion (bhakti) leading to sākṣātkāra.
By presenting the Supreme Power as “originating from Viṣṇu,” it supports the Purāṇa’s integrative theology where the one supreme reality manifests through divine powers and forms—harmonizing sectarian readings and preparing for the text’s broader Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis.