Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 188
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
अन्धक उवाच नमामि मूर्ध्ना भगवन्तमेकं समाहिता यं विदुरीशतत्त्वम् / पुरातनं पुण्यमनन्तरूपं कालं कविं योगवियोगहेतुम्
andhaka uvāca namāmi mūrdhnā bhagavantamekaṃ samāhitā yaṃ vidurīśatattvam / purātanaṃ puṇyamanantarūpaṃ kālaṃ kaviṃ yogaviyogahetum
அந்தகன் கூறினான்—தலை வணங்கி அந்த ஒரே பகவானை நான் வணங்குகிறேன்; தியானத்தில் நிலைத்தோர் அவரை ஈஸ்வரத் தத்துவமாக அறிகின்றனர். அவர் ஆதிபுராதனன், புனிதன், அளவற்ற ரூபங்களுடையவன்; காலமே, கவிஞன்-ரிஷி, யோகத்தில் சேர்க்கையும் பிரிவும் உண்டாக்கும் காரணமும் ஆவான்.
Andhaka
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It points to a single supreme Īśvara-tattva known by the “samāhitāḥ” (those established in concentration), describing that One as ancient, pure, all-formed, and identical with Kāla (Time)—a metaphysical marker of the Lord as the underlying reality governing all change.
The verse highlights samādhi-like steadiness (samāhita) as the means of knowing Īśvara-tattva, and frames the Lord as the “yoga-viyoga-hetu”—the principle behind both spiritual union (attainment) and separation (disentanglement), aligning with Kurma Purana’s Pāśupata-oriented emphasis on disciplined concentration and inner detachment.
By praising a single Bhagavān as the one Īśvara beyond sectarian limitation—ancient, infinite-formed, and the cosmic Kāla—the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s non-dual devotional stance where the supreme Lordhood can be expressed through both Shaiva and Vaishnava theological languages.