Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8
Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage
Yātrā-vidhi
वटमूलं समाश्रित्य यस्तु प्राणान् परित्यजेत् / सर्वलोकानतिक्रम्य रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति
vaṭamūlaṃ samāśritya yastu prāṇān parityajet / sarvalokānatikramya rudralokaṃ sa gacchati
ਜੋ ਵਟ ਦੇ ਰੁੱਖ ਦੀ ਜੜ੍ਹ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣ ਤਿਆਗਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਭ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਘ ਕੇ ਰੁਦ੍ਰਲੋਕ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing sages on tīrtha-mahātmyas and the fruit of sacred death
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
By stating that one can “transcend all worlds” and reach Rudra’s realm, the verse points beyond mere heavenly reward toward a liberation-oriented ascent, where the self is understood as capable of surpassing conditioned planes through right dharmic resolve and divine orientation (Rudra as the liberating Lord).
The verse implies disciplined, vow-based relinquishment of the life-breaths (a dharmic form of voluntary, sanctified death rather than impulsive self-harm), aligned with tīrtha-sevā and inner steadiness—ideas compatible with Pāśupata-leaning renunciation and breath-awareness (prāṇa) as a yogic principle in the Kurma Purana’s broader teaching.
Spoken within a Vaiṣṇava Purāṇa context yet directing the fruit to Rudra’s realm, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: devotion and dharma culminate in the grace of the one Supreme, expressed here as Rudra/Śiva, without contradicting Viṣṇu’s role as teacher and cosmic Lord.