Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11
Prākṛta Sṛṣṭi and Pralaya: From Pradhāna to Brahmāṇḍa; Trimūrti Samanvaya
ब्राह्मी रात्रिरियं प्रोक्ता अहः सृष्टिरुदाहृता / अहर्न विद्यते तस्य न रात्रिर्ह्युपचारतः
brāhmī rātririyaṃ proktā ahaḥ sṛṣṭirudāhṛtā / aharna vidyate tasya na rātrirhyupacārataḥ
ఇది బ్రహ్ముని ‘రాత్రి’గా చెప్పబడింది; సృష్టికాలం ఆయన ‘దినం’గా ఉద్ఘాటించబడింది. కాని పరమ తత్త్వానికి నిజంగా దినమూ లేదు, రాత్రీ లేదు—ఇవి కేవలం ఉపచారమాత్రమే।
Sūta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic teaching on cosmic time; ultimately reflecting the Kurma Purana’s Supreme-Brahman standpoint
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It states that ‘day’ and ‘night’ apply only to Brahmā’s cosmic administration of creation and dissolution; the Supreme Self is beyond temporal opposites, and such terms are used only conventionally.
The verse points to a yogic insight central to Purāṇic Yoga: transcending dualities (dvandva) such as day/night and creation/dissolution by steady contemplation on the timeless Paramātman—an orientation consistent with Pāśupata-style detachment and inner absorption.
By emphasizing one timeless Supreme beyond all cosmic cycles, it supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: Shiva and Vishnu are understood as expressions of the same ultimate Reality that is untouched by ‘day’ and ‘night’.