Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
Sapta-dvīpa Cosmography and the Vision of Śvetadvīpa–Vaikuṇṭha
धुतपापा शिवा चैव पवित्रा संमता तथा / विद्युदम्भा मही चेति नद्यस्तत्र जलावहाः
dhutapāpā śivā caiva pavitrā saṃmatā tathā / vidyudambhā mahī ceti nadyastatra jalāvahāḥ
Doon, ang mga ilog na nagdadala ng tubig ay tinatawag na Dhutapāpā, Śivā, Pavitrā, Saṃmatā, Vidyudambhā, at Mahī—mga batis na umaagos sa banal na lupain.
Sūta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic description to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
Indirectly: it emphasizes purification through sacred geography—sin-destroying rivers—supporting the Purāṇic path where inner purity (śuddhi) prepares one for knowledge of the Self taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.
The verse points to tīrtha-sevā—approaching sacred waters for purification—often paired in Purāṇic practice with japa, vrata, and worship; such outer disciplines support the inner yogic goal of steadiness and purity central to Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā.
By naming a river ‘Śivā’ within a Vaiṣṇava-leaning Purāṇa’s tīrtha section, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative spirit where auspiciousness and sanctity are shared across Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava sacred frameworks.