Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 83
Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching
Iśvara-Gītā Prelude
नमो भगवते तुभ्यं वासुदेवाय वेधसे / किं करिष्यामि योगेश तन्मे वद जगन्मय
namo bhagavate tubhyaṃ vāsudevāya vedhase / kiṃ kariṣyāmi yogeśa tanme vada jaganmaya
اے بھگوان! واسو دیو، اے سب کے مُقَدِّر! تجھے نمسکار۔ اے یوگیش، اے جگت میں رچا بسا پروردگار! میں کیا کروں؟ یہ مجھے بتا۔
A seeker (traditionally King Indradyumna) addressing Lord Kurma as Vāsudeva
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
By addressing the Lord as “jaganmaya” (the one who pervades/constitutes the universe) and “vedhā” (the ordainer), the verse points to a Supreme reality that is both immanent in all beings and the intelligent governor—suggesting the Atman’s source as the all-pervading Ishvara.
The verse frames the essential yogic posture of discipleship: surrender and inquiry before the “Yogeśa” (Lord of Yoga). In the Ishvara Gita setting, this becomes the doorway to disciplined practice—receiving instruction on right conduct, inner restraint, and God-centered meditation associated with Pashupata-oriented devotion.
Though the address is to Vāsudeva, the title “Yogeśa” is also a classic epithet of Shiva; the Kurma Purana often uses such shared divine titles to emphasize functional and philosophical unity—one Supreme Ishvara revered through Shaiva and Vaishnava lenses.