Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 98
Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara
अग्नौ क्रियावतामप्सु व्योम्नि सूर्ये मनीषिणाम् / काष्ठादिष्वेव मूर्खाणां हृदि लिङ्गन्तुयोगिनाम्
agnau kriyāvatāmapsu vyomni sūrye manīṣiṇām / kāṣṭhādiṣveva mūrkhāṇāṃ hṛdi liṅgantuyoginām
Para sa mga gumaganap ng ritwal, (ang Banal ay hinahanap) sa apoy; para sa iba, sa tubig; para sa mga pantas na mapagnilay, sa langit at sa araw. Ang mangmang ay naghahanap lamang sa kahoy at katulad nito; ngunit para sa mga yogin, ang tunay na liṅga ay nasa loob ng puso.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching within the Ishvara Gita tradition
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
FAQs
It shifts the focus from external supports (fire, water, sun, idols) to the indwelling reality: the true divine “mark” (liṅga) is realized inwardly in the heart through yogic insight.
The verse prioritizes inner contemplation over external ritualism—pointing to yogic dhyāna on the heart as the locus of realization, consistent with Pāśupata-oriented inward worship and disciplined meditation.
In the Ishvara Gita setting, Lord Kurma teaches realization of the inner liṅga (Śiva-principle) as the supreme focus—reflecting the Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where the same Ishvara is taught through Vishnu’s voice.