Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 5
Naimittika-pralaya and the Theology of Kāla: Seven Suns, Saṃvartaka Fire, Flood, and Varāha Kalpa
कूर्म उवाच नित्यो नैमित्तिकश्चैव प्राकृतात्यन्तिकौ तथा / चतुर्धायं पुराणे ऽस्मिन् प्रोच्यते प्रतिसंचरः
kūrma uvāca nityo naimittikaścaiva prākṛtātyantikau tathā / caturdhāyaṃ purāṇe 'smin procyate pratisaṃcaraḥ
கூர்ம பகவான் கூறினார்—இந்த புராணத்தில் பிரதிஸஞ்சாரம் (ப்ரளயம்) நான்கு வகையாகப் போதிக்கப்படுகிறது: நித்யம், நைமித்திகம், ப்ராக்ருதம், ஆத்யந்திகம்।
Lord Kurma (Vishnu)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
By distinguishing the “absolute” dissolution (ātyantika) from cosmic dissolutions, the verse points to liberation as a final cessation of bondage—implying the Self’s transcendence beyond changing cycles of creation and re-absorption.
This verse is classificatory rather than procedural, but it frames Yoga’s goal as ātyantika—liberative dissolution of ignorance and bondage—consistent with Kurma Purana’s Yoga-shāstra orientation (discipline leading beyond prakṛti and cyclical pralaya).
Spoken by Lord Kūrma (a Viṣṇu form) using shared Sāṃkhya-Yoga cosmological categories common in Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions, it supports the Purāṇa’s synthesis: one spiritual truth expressed through convergent doctrinal language.