Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
Oṅkāra-Liṅga and the Secret Pañcāyatana Liṅgas of Kāśī: Kṛttivāseśvara-Māhātmya
संस्मरेदैश्वरं लिङ्गं पञ्चायतनमव्ययम् / देहान्ते तत्परं ज्योतिरानन्दं विशते बुधः
saṃsmaredaiśvaraṃ liṅgaṃ pañcāyatanamavyayam / dehānte tatparaṃ jyotirānandaṃ viśate budhaḥ
ผู้มีปัญญาพึงระลึกถึงลึงค์แห่งพระอีศวร ผู้เป็นปัญจายตนะอันไม่เสื่อมสูญอยู่เสมอ ครั้นถึงกาลสิ้นกาย เมื่อจิตแน่วแน่ในพระองค์ ย่อมเข้าสู่แสงสว่างอันรุ่งโรจน์ซึ่งเป็นอานันทะ (ความปีติสุข)
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing Indradyumna and the sages on Śaiva-Vaiṣṇava synthesis through Īśvara-upāsanā
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as “jyotis” (pure radiance) and “ānanda” (bliss), implying liberation is realization/entry into an imperishable luminous consciousness rather than a merely worldly heaven.
The practice is sustained smaraṇa (remembrance) and upāsanā (devotional contemplation) of Īśvara through the liṅga and Pañcāyatana framework, culminating in single-pointedness (tatparatā) at life’s end—an inner discipline aligned with Pāśupata-oriented devotion and meditative absorption.
By having Lord Kūrma teach meditation on the Īśvara-liṅga leading to the highest blissful Light, the text frames Śaiva symbolism (liṅga/Īśvara) as fully compatible with Vaiṣṇava revelation—supporting a non-sectarian, synthesizing theology.