Shloka 77
Adhyāya 25 — Liṅga-māhātmya (The Chapter on the Liṅga): Hari’s Śiva-Worship and the Fiery Pillar Theophany
तदाशु समयं कृत्वा गतावूर्ध्वमधश्च द्वौ / पितामहो ऽप्यहं नान्तं ज्ञातवन्तौ समाः शतम्
tadāśu samayaṃ kṛtvā gatāvūrdhvamadhaśca dvau / pitāmaho 'pyahaṃ nāntaṃ jñātavantau samāḥ śatam
แล้วทั้งสองได้ตกลงกำหนดเวลาโดยเร็ว จากนั้นจึงออกไป—ผู้หนึ่งขึ้นเบื้องบน ผู้หนึ่งลงเบื้องล่าง แต่ทั้งข้าพเจ้าและปิตามหะก็ยังไม่อาจรู้ที่สุดได้ แม้ผ่านไปหนึ่งร้อยปี
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) narrating in Purāṇic frame
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
By showing that even Brahmā and Viṣṇu cannot find the ‘end,’ the verse points to the Supreme principle as limitless and beyond ordinary measurement—an indicator of the boundless, transcendent reality that Atman/Brahman signifies in Purāṇic theology.
The verse does not prescribe a specific technique; it implicitly teaches yogic humility and the necessity of inner realization over mere outward ‘search’—a theme aligned with the Kurma Purana’s broader emphasis on disciplined practice (yoga, dharma, and devotion) rather than intellectual conquest.
In the common Purāṇic context of an immeasurable cosmic form (often associated with Śiva as the infinite liṅga), Viṣṇu’s admission of not finding the limit supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the Supreme is one, while divine forms (Śiva/Viṣṇu) reveal that same boundless reality.