Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34
Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching
Iśvara-Gītā Prelude
इयं सा परमा शक्तिर्मन्मयी ब्रह्मरूपिणी / माया मम प्रियानन्ता ययेदं मोहितं जगत्
iyaṃ sā paramā śaktirmanmayī brahmarūpiṇī / māyā mama priyānantā yayedaṃ mohitaṃ jagat
นางผู้นี้แลคือศักติสูงสุด เป็นเนื้อแท้เดียวกับเรา มีรูปเป็นพรหมัน นางคือมายาอันเป็นที่รักของเรา ไร้ที่สุด ซึ่งทำให้โลกทั้งปวงหลงมัวเมา
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) speaking in the Purāṇic teaching mode, presenting a Śakti–Māyā doctrine compatible with Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava synthesis
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as possessing an intrinsic Śakti: Māyā is described as “of my essence” and “Brahman-formed,” implying that the one Reality appears as the world through its own power, while delusion belongs to the level of manifestation, not to Brahman itself.
The verse supports a key yogic discrimination used in Pāśupata-leaning and Vedāntic practice: recognizing Māyā as the principle of moha (bewilderment) and turning the mind from world-appearance to Brahman-awareness through viveka (discernment) and īśvara-smaraṇa (God-remembrance).
By teaching Brahman, Śakti, and Māyā in a universal, non-sectarian register, it aligns with the Kūrma Purāṇa’s Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava synthesis: the Supreme Lord (whether spoken of as Viṣṇu/Kūrma or Śiva/Īśvara in other contexts) is one, and the same cosmic power explains creation and delusion.