Shloka 31
Prākṛta-pralaya, Pratisarga Doctrine, and the Ishvara-Samanvaya of Yoga and Devotion
एकैकस्य सहस्राणि देहानां वै शतानि च / कथ्यन्ते चैव माहात्म्याच्छक्तिरेकैव निर्गुणाः
ekaikasya sahasrāṇi dehānāṃ vai śatāni ca / kathyante caiva māhātmyācchaktirekaiva nirguṇāḥ
एकैकस्य सहस्राणि देहानां शतानि च कथ्यन्ते; माहात्म्याद् एकैव शक्तिः, सा निर्गुणा इति।
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing the sages (Iśvara-gītā style teaching in the Upari-bhāga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It suggests that while embodiments are spoken of as many (even innumerable), the ultimate reality powering them is one—nirguṇa—indicating a single transcendent Self/Power behind all multiplicity.
The verse supports meditative discernment (viveka) central to Pāśupata-leaning Yoga and Vedānta: withdrawing attention from changing bodies and recognizing the one nirguṇa Śakti/Iśvara as the inner ground of experience.
By emphasizing one nirguṇa Śakti behind all forms, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian thrust: Śiva and Viṣṇu can be revered as expressions of the same supreme, attributeless reality.