Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
Nine Creations (Sarga), Guṇa-Streams of Beings, and Brahmā’s Progeny in Cyclic Time
तेष्वेवं निरपेक्षेषु लोकसृष्टौ प्रजापतिः / मुमोह मायया सद्यो मायिनः परमेष्ठिनः
teṣvevaṃ nirapekṣeṣu lokasṛṣṭau prajāpatiḥ / mumoha māyayā sadyo māyinaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ
Ketika alam-alam itu sedang terjelma demikian secara tersendiri, Prajāpati serta-merta menjadi bingung oleh Māyā—kuasa ilusi milik Tuhan Yang Maha Tertinggi, Parameṣṭhin, Sang Ahli Sihir Agung.
Purana narrator (Vyasa/Suta tradition) describing cosmic creation in the Kurma Purana’s Purva-bhaga
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It implies that delusion arises from Māyā, a power belonging to the Supreme Lord; the Self remains transcendent, while even cosmic agents like Prajāpati can be veiled when identification with the projection (sṛṣṭi) occurs.
The verse points to the Yogic necessity of viveka (discernment) to overcome moha (bewilderment) caused by Māyā—an idea aligned with Kurma Purana teachings where knowledge and disciplined practice remove the veil that confuses the seer with the seen.
By attributing Māyā to the supreme Parameṣṭhin (the highest Lord), it supports the Purana’s non-sectarian stance: the ultimate divine principle—spoken of in Shaiva and Vaishnava idioms—governs creation and the power that veils it.