Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47
Madhu–Kaiṭabha, Nārāyaṇa’s Yoga-Nidrā, Rudra’s Manifestation, and the Aṣṭamūrti–Trimūrti Teaching
नमो वेदरहस्याय कालकालाय ते नमः / वेदान्तसारसाराय नमो वेदात्ममूर्तये
namo vedarahasyāya kālakālāya te namaḥ / vedāntasārasārāya namo vedātmamūrtaye
வேத ரகசிய ரூபனே உமக்கு நமः; காலத்தையும் கடந்த காலனே உமக்கு நமः. வேதாந்தத்தின் சாரத்தின் சாரமே, வேதாத்ம மூர்த்தியே உமக்கு நமः.
A devotee/sage offering stuti within the Purva-bhaga narrative (a hymn addressed to the Supreme Lord identified with the Veda and with Mahākāla).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It identifies the Supreme as veda-ātma-mūrti—whose very form is the Veda’s inner Self—implying the Lord is the illuminating consciousness that the Vedas and Vedānta ultimately point to.
While not prescribing a technique directly, the verse supports a contemplative Yoga approach: meditate on Īśvara as the inner meaning of śruti (veda-rahasya) and as Mahākāla, cultivating detachment and one-pointed devotion central to Purāṇic Pāśupata-oriented spirituality.
By praising the Supreme as Mahākāla (a strongly Śaiva epithet) and simultaneously as the Veda-Self (often applied to Nārāyaṇa), it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthetic, non-sectarian vision where the one Īśvara is honored through both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava theological language.