Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
तस्माद् ब्रह्मा महादेवो विष्णुर्विश्वेश्वरः परः / एकस्यैव स्मृतास्तिस्त्रस्तनूः कार्यवशात् प्रभोः
tasmād brahmā mahādevo viṣṇurviśveśvaraḥ paraḥ / ekasyaiva smṛtāstistrastanūḥ kāryavaśāt prabhoḥ
Oleh itu, Brahmā, Mahādeva (Śiva) dan Viṣṇu—Tuhan Yang Maha Tinggi, Penguasa alam semesta—diingati sebagai tiga tubuh (tiga rupa) bagi satu Penguasa Tertinggi, yang diambil menurut tuntutan fungsi kosmik.
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing the sages/Indradyumna-context on the unity of Īśvara
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
It presents one supreme Prabhu/Īśvara as the single ultimate reality, while Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Mahādeva are described as functional manifestations—implying unity at the highest level and diversity only in role-based expression.
This verse is doctrinal rather than procedural: it supports Īśvara-centered contemplation (Īśvara-dhyāna) by directing the meditator to see the one Lord behind multiple divine forms—an important foundation for Pāśupata/Īśvara-oriented Yoga taught elsewhere in the Kūrma tradition.
Śiva (Mahādeva) and Viṣṇu are not rival absolutes here; they are two of the three tanūḥ (forms) of the one Supreme Lord, differentiated by cosmic function rather than by ultimate essence.