Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 31
Rudra’s Cosmic Dance and the Recognition of Rudra–Nārāyaṇa Unity (Īśvara-gītā Continuation)
एको वेदो बहुशाखो ह्यनन्तस् त्वामेवैकं बोधयत्येकरूपम् / वेद्यं त्वां शरणं ये प्रपन्ना- स्तेषां शान्तिः शाश्वती नेतरेषाम्
eko vedo bahuśākho hyanantas tvāmevaikaṃ bodhayatyekarūpam / vedyaṃ tvāṃ śaraṇaṃ ye prapannā- steṣāṃ śāntiḥ śāśvatī netareṣām
வேதம் ஒன்று; அதற்கு எண்ணற்ற கிளைகள் இருந்தாலும், ஒரே சாரரூபமான பரத்தத்துவமாக உம்மையே அறிவுறுத்துகிறது. உம்மை அறியத்தக்க பரம்பொருளெனக் கொண்டு உம்மிடம் சரணடைந்தோர்க்கே நித்திய அமைதி; பிறர்க்கல்லை.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna (Ishvara Gita teaching context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as one, of a single essential nature, the ultimate object of knowledge taught by all Vedic branches—implying unity behind diverse doctrines and practices.
The verse emphasizes śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and one-pointed recognition of the single Lord as the knowable reality—an Ishvara-centered contemplation aligned with the Kurma Purana’s Pashupata-oriented devotion and discipline.
By asserting one Lord known through the Veda’s many branches, it supports the Kurma Purana’s synthetic, non-sectarian thrust: the supreme Ishvara is one, while names and theological emphases (Shaiva/Vaishnava) are many.