Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching
Iśvara-Gītā Prelude
तदाशीस्तन्नमस्कारस्तन्निष्ठस्तत्परायणः / आराधयन् महादेवं योगिनां हृदि संस्थितम्
tadāśīstannamaskārastanniṣṭhastatparāyaṇaḥ / ārādhayan mahādevaṃ yogināṃ hṛdi saṃsthitam
అతని ఆశీస్సులు ఆ తత్త్వానికే, నమస్కారమూ ఆ తత్త్వానికే; ఆ తత్త్వంలోనే నిష్ఠతో, దానినే పరమాశ్రయంగా చేసుకొని, యోగుల హృదయంలో స్థితుడైన మహాదేవుని నిరంతరం ఆరాధించాడు।
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the devotee’s state and practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
By repeating “tat” (That), the verse points to the Supreme Reality as the ultimate refuge and inner support; Mahādeva is presented as abiding in the heart of yogins, indicating the indwelling Īśvara/Ātman realized inwardly rather than merely sought externally.
It emphasizes inward worship (antar-ārādhana) grounded in one-pointedness: directing prayer and reverence to the Supreme, remaining established (niṣṭhā) and taking it as the highest goal (parāyaṇa), with contemplation of Mahādeva as heart-abiding—aligned with Pāśupata-oriented devotion fused with yogic interiorization.
The verse frames devotion to “That” (the Supreme) alongside worship of Mahādeva within the yogic heart, reflecting the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology where the highest reality is approached through Śiva while remaining compatible with Vaiṣṇava language of the Supreme refuge.