Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 71
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
ततः संहृत्य तद्रूपं हरिर्नारायणः प्रभुः / स्वमेव परमं रूपं ययौ नारायणाह्वयम्
tataḥ saṃhṛtya tadrūpaṃ harirnārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ / svameva paramaṃ rūpaṃ yayau nārāyaṇāhvayam
அப்போது ஆண்டவன் ஹரி—நாராயணன்—அந்த ஏற்றுக் கொண்ட வடிவைச் சுருக்கி, ‘நாராயண’ எனப் புகழப்படும் தன் பரம ஸ்வரூபத்திற்கே மீண்டும் சென்றான்।
Sūta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic narrative
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as capable of manifesting a form for a purpose and then reabsorbing it, abiding in His own “parama-rūpa”—a transcendent identity beyond temporary appearances.
The verse implies the yogic principle of saṃhāra (withdrawal): turning back from outward manifestation to the supreme ground—akin to pratyāhāra and samādhi in Yoga-śāstra, where multiplicity is gathered into the One.
By stressing the Supreme Lord’s transcendence and sovereign freedom to assume and withdraw forms, it supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the highest reality is one, approached through Śaiva or Vaiṣṇava names and modes without contradiction.