Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 8
Īśvara-gītā: Brahman as All-Pervading—Kāla, Prakṛti–Puruṣa, Tattva-Evolution, and Mokṣa
प्रधानं पुरुषं चैव तत्त्वद्वयमुदाहृतम् / तयोरनादिरुद्दिष्टः कालः संयोजकः परः
pradhānaṃ puruṣaṃ caiva tattvadvayamudāhṛtam / tayoranādiruddiṣṭaḥ kālaḥ saṃyojakaḥ paraḥ
Ang Pradhāna (unang Kalikasan) at ang Puruṣa (malay na Sarili) ay ipinahayag na dalawang pangunahing tattva. Sa dalawang ito, ang Kāla (Panahon) ay itinuturo na walang pasimula at kataas-taasan, ang transendenteng tagapag-ugnay na nagtatagpo sa kanila.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing the sages (as preserved in the Kurma Purana’s teaching dialogue)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It distinguishes Puruṣa as the conscious principle from Pradhāna (material nature), and presents Kāla as a beginningless, superior principle that coordinates their interaction—implying that consciousness is distinct from matter, while cosmic governance operates through transcendent Time.
No specific technique is prescribed in this verse; it provides the metaphysical framework used by Yoga and Pāśupata-oriented teachings—discriminating Puruṣa from Pradhāna and contemplating Kāla as the regulating power behind worldly change, which supports viveka (discernment) and vairāgya (dispassion).
By teaching a shared metaphysical structure (Pradhāna–Puruṣa governed by Kāla), the Purana frames doctrine in a way usable by both Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva paths—supporting the text’s synthesis where the supreme governance of the cosmos is presented in a non-sectarian, integrative manner.