Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48
Kali-yuga Doṣas, the Supremacy of Rudra as Refuge, and the Closure of the Manvantara Teaching
कपर्दिनं कालमूर्तिममूर्ति परमेश्वरम् / एकमूर्ति महामूर्ति वेदवेद्यं दिवस्पतिम्
kapardinaṃ kālamūrtimamūrti parameśvaram / ekamūrti mahāmūrti vedavedyaṃ divaspatim
சடையணிந்த கபர்தியை நான் வழிபடுகிறேன்—காலத்தின் உருவமாய் இருந்தும் உருவமற்றவர்; பரமேஸ்வரன்; ஒரே வடிவமாய் இருந்தும் மகாவடிவு; வேதங்களால் அறியப்படுபவர், விண்ணுலகங்களின் அதிபதி.
A devotee/narratorial voice offering a stotra within the Purva-bhaga’s Śaiva-oriented praise (contextually aligned with the Kurma Purana’s Shiva–Vishnu synthesis)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents Parameśvara as simultaneously embodied (kāla-mūrti, mahā-mūrti) and beyond embodiment (amūrti), pointing to a non-dual reality that can appear with attributes while remaining ultimately transcendent.
The verse supports contemplative Yoga through upāsanā on the Lord’s dual aspect—formless and cosmic-form—guiding meditation from a concrete symbol (Time/Lord of heaven) toward the attributeless Absolute, a key movement in Purāṇic yogic theology.
By describing the Supreme as both the One and the Cosmic Form, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where sectarian names (Śiva/Vişṇu) can function as titles of the same Parameśvara, approached through Vedic revelation and yogic contemplation.