Adhyāya 25 — Liṅga-māhātmya (The Chapter on the Liṅga): Hari’s Śiva-Worship and the Fiery Pillar Theophany
ततो मामाह भगवानधो गच्छ त्वमाशु वै / अन्तमस्य विजानीम ऊर्ध्वं गच्छे ऽहमित्यजः
tato māmāha bhagavānadho gaccha tvamāśu vai / antamasya vijānīma ūrdhvaṃ gacche 'hamityajaḥ
అప్పుడు భగవంతుడు నాతో అన్నాడు— “నీవు త్వరగా క్రిందికి వెళ్లు; దీని అంతాన్ని తెలుసుకో. నేను—అజ బ్రహ్మ—పైకి వెళ్తాను.”
Vishnu (the Blessed Lord) addressing Brahma (Aja)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
By presenting a form whose “end” cannot be easily found, the verse points to the Absolute as beginningless and limitless—beyond ordinary spatial measures—hinting that the Supreme Self cannot be grasped by finite searching.
The verse emphasizes disciplined inquiry (vicāra) and humility: even exalted beings must investigate the Real without presuming completion. In the Kurma Purana’s wider spiritual frame, this aligns with yogic restraint and contemplative pursuit of the limitless principle rather than mere intellectual certainty.
Using the classic limitless-pillar motif often associated with Śiva while placing Viṣṇu in the dialogue, the Kurma Purana signals a synthetic theology: the Supreme manifests in forms revered by both Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions, guiding seekers toward one non-dual Reality.