Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching
Iśvara-Gītā Prelude
परात्परतरं तत्त्वं परं ब्रह्मैकमव्ययम् / नित्यानन्दं स्वयञ्ज्योतिरक्षरं तमसः परम्
parātparataraṃ tattvaṃ paraṃ brahmaikamavyayam / nityānandaṃ svayañjyotirakṣaraṃ tamasaḥ param
పరాత్పరమైన ఆ తత్త్వం—ఒక్కటే పరమ, అవ్యయ బ్రహ్మ—నిత్యానందస్వరూపం, స్వయంజ్యోతి, అక్షయం, తమస్సు (అజ్ఞానం)కు అతీతం.
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) teaching the Īśvara-gītā in a Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava synthesis
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
It defines the Supreme as the one imperishable Brahman—self-revealing (svayaṁ-jyotis), immutable (akṣara), and experienced as eternal bliss—beyond all limiting categories and beyond tamas (ignorance).
The verse supports Pāśupata-oriented contemplation: meditate on the Supreme as self-luminous consciousness beyond tamas, using viveka (discernment) and inner absorption (dhyāna/samādhi) to transcend ignorance and abide in the akṣara Brahman.
By presenting the highest truth as one non-dual Brahman, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where sectarian forms (Śiva/Viṣṇu) converge in the same supreme, self-luminous Reality taught in the Īśvara-gītā.