Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27
Nine Creations (Sarga), Guṇa-Streams of Beings, and Brahmā’s Progeny in Cyclic Time
ओङ्कारं समनुस्मृत्य प्रणम्य च कृताञ्जलिः / ताम भगवान् ब्रह्मा सृजेमा विविधाः प्रजाः
oṅkāraṃ samanusmṛtya praṇamya ca kṛtāñjaliḥ / tāma bhagavān brahmā sṛjemā vividhāḥ prajāḥ
புனித ஓங்காரத்தை நினைந்து, கைகூப்பி வணங்கி, பின்னர் பகவான் பிரம்மா பலவகை உயிரினக் கூட்டங்களைப் படைக்கத் தொடங்கினார்।
Suta (narrator) describing the cosmogonic sequence
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
By placing Oṁ at the head of creation, the verse implies that manifestation proceeds from contemplation of the supreme, all-pervading reality signified by Praṇava—pointing to Atman/Brahman as the ground of all beings.
It highlights praṇava-anusmṛti (recollection/meditation on Oṁ) joined with namaskāra and añjali—showing that inner contemplation and outward reverence together form a disciplined sādhana that precedes right action.
While not naming Shiva or Vishnu directly, it reflects the Purana’s synthesizing theology: creation begins through devotion to the supreme principle (Oṁ), a shared emblem of the one Ishvara revered across Shaiva and Vaishnava frames.