Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 64
Adhyāya 25 — Liṅga-māhātmya (The Chapter on the Liṅga): Hari’s Śiva-Worship and the Fiery Pillar Theophany
पुरा चैकार्णवे घोरे नष्टे स्थावरजङ्गमे / प्रबोधार्थं ब्रह्मणो मे प्रादुर्भूतः स्वयं शिवः
purā caikārṇave ghore naṣṭe sthāvarajaṅgame / prabodhārthaṃ brahmaṇo me prādurbhūtaḥ svayaṃ śivaḥ
Noong unang panahon, nang ang nakapanghihilakbot na iisang karagatan na lamang ang natira at ang lahat ng di‑gumagalaw at gumagalaw ay naglaho, upang gisingin si Brahmā, si Śiva mismo ay nagpakita sa harap ko.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu), narrating to the sages/Indradyumna contextually within the Purana’s dialogue frame
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
By portraying Śiva as self-manifest (svayam prādurbhūtaḥ) even at pralaya, the verse implies an ever-present, self-luminous Supreme Reality that does not depend on created forms—an Atman/Iśvara principle that persists when all names and forms dissolve.
The verse points to “prabodha” (awakening) as the spiritual aim: true knowledge that rouses consciousness from cosmic or individual inertia. In Kurma Purana’s Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis, such awakening aligns with disciplined yoga and devotion—where grace (anugraha) and inner realization cooperate.
Vishnu (as Kurma) speaks of Śiva’s direct manifestation before him, presenting Śiva not as a rival deity but as the same supreme power assisting cosmic order—supporting the Purana’s non-sectarian vision of Shiva–Vishnu unity.