Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 1
Īśvara-gītā (Adhyāya 2) — Ātma-svarūpa, Māyā, and the Unity of Sāṅkhya–Yoga
इति श्रीकूर्मपुराणे षट्साहस्त्र्यां संहितायामुपरिविभागे (ईश्वरगीतासु) प्रथमो ऽध्यायः ईश्वर उवाच अवाच्यमेतद् विज्ञानमात्मगुह्यं सनातनम् / यन्न देवा विजानन्ति यतन्तो ऽपि द्विजातयः
iti śrīkūrmapurāṇe ṣaṭsāhastryāṃ saṃhitāyāmuparivibhāge (īśvaragītāsu) prathamo 'dhyāyaḥ īśvara uvāca avācyametad vijñānamātmaguhyaṃ sanātanam / yanna devā vijānanti yatanto 'pi dvijātayaḥ
Sa Śrī Kūrma Purāṇa, sa Saṃhitā na may anim na libong taludtod, sa huling bahagi—sa loob ng Īśvara-gītā—nagsisimula ang unang kabanata. Wika ng Panginoon: “Ang kaalamang ito’y di-maipahayag, ang walang hanggang lihim na karunungan ng Sarili; ni ang mga deva’y di ito ganap na nauunawaan, ni ang mga dalawang-ulit-na-isinilang, kahit magsumikap.”
Īśvara (Lord Kurma/Vishnu as the Supreme Teacher within the Īśvara-gītā)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents Self-knowledge (vijñāna) as eternal and inwardly hidden (ātma-guhya), ultimately beyond verbal description—implying realization rather than mere conceptual learning.
The verse implies that effort alone is insufficient unless it becomes direct realization; in the Īśvara-gītā context this points toward disciplined yogic practice (including Pāśupata-oriented inner restraint, contemplation, and devotion to Īśvara) culminating in experiential knowledge.
By framing the teaching as Īśvara’s inexpressible Self-knowledge, it supports the Purāṇic non-sectarian synthesis: the Supreme Lord (Īśvara) is the source of liberating wisdom, harmonizing Śaiva yogic language (Pāśupata emphasis) with Vaiṣṇava revelation (Kūrma/Vishnu as teacher).