Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 176
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
दृष्ट्वान्धकं समयान्तं भगवान् गरुडध्वजः / व्याजहार महादेवं भैरवं भूतिभूषणम्
dṛṣṭvāndhakaṃ samayāntaṃ bhagavān garuḍadhvajaḥ / vyājahāra mahādevaṃ bhairavaṃ bhūtibhūṣaṇam
ครั้นทอดพระเนตรว่าเวลาวิบัติของอันธกะใกล้เข้ามาแล้ว พระผู้เป็นเจ้าผู้มีธงครุฑจึงตรัสเรียกมหาเทวะ—ไภรวะ ผู้ประดับด้วยวิภูติคือเถ้าศักดิ์สิทธิ์।
Bhagavan Garuḍadhvaja (Lord Viṣṇu) addressing Mahādeva (Śiva/Bhairava)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
By presenting Viṣṇu directly addressing Śiva with reverence, the verse implicitly supports the Purāṇic vision of one Supreme Reality appearing as multiple divine forms—hinting that the highest Self is not divided by sectarian identity.
No explicit practice is taught in this line; however, the epithet “bhūtibhūṣaṇam” evokes Śaiva ascetic discipline (bhasma/holy ash, vairāgya), a hallmark of Pāśupata-oriented spirituality emphasized elsewhere in the Kūrma Purāṇa.
It depicts a respectful, cooperative divine relationship: Viṣṇu (Garuḍadhvaja) addresses Śiva (Mahādeva/Bhairava) as the authoritative power in the unfolding of Andhaka’s destined end, aligning with the Kūrma Purāṇa’s Shaiva–Vaiṣṇava synthesis.