Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 177
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
हन्तुमर्हसि दैत्येशमन्धकं लोककण्टकम् / त्वामृते भगवान् शक्तो हन्ता नान्यो ऽस्य विद्यते
hantumarhasi daityeśamandhakaṃ lokakaṇṭakam / tvāmṛte bhagavān śakto hantā nānyo 'sya vidyate
ท่านเท่านั้นสมควรสังหารอันธกะ เจ้าแห่งไทตยะ ผู้เป็นหนามยอกโลกทั้งหลาย นอกจากท่านแล้ว โอ้พระผู้เป็นเจ้า ไม่มีผู้ใดสามารถฆ่าเขาได้เลย।
A devotee/sage addressing Bhagavan (in the Andhaka episode context, an appeal to Shiva as the supreme protector)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as uniquely competent to remove world-threatening ignorance and adharma (symbolized by Andhaka). The implied teaching is that ultimate deliverance and cosmic order-restoration depend on the highest Lord, not on limited agents.
The verse itself is a devotional invocation (īśvara-prārthanā) emphasizing śaraṇāgati—taking refuge in the Lord. In the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva-Pashupata orientation, such surrender supports steadiness of mind (dhāraṇā) and aligns practice with divine grace (anugraha) as a prerequisite for inner conquest of darkness (andhatva).
By addressing a single “Bhagavan” as the sole competent protector, it reflects the Purana’s integrative theology: the saving power is one, whether expressed as Shiva’s destructive-protective force or Vishnu’s world-sustaining sovereignty—two names/forms serving one supreme function.