Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः / जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः
ūrdhvaṃ gacchanti sattvasthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ / jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ
جو ستو میں قائم ہوں وہ اوپر اٹھتے ہیں؛ جو رجس کے غلبے میں ہوں وہ درمیان میں ٹھہرتے ہیں؛ اور جو تمس کی پست روش میں ہوں وہ نیچے گر جاتے ہیں۔
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing the sages (Purāṇic teaching voice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
By classifying ascent and descent through the guṇas, the verse implies that bondage belongs to prakṛti’s qualities; the discerning seeker turns toward sattva and knowledge to recognize the Atman as distinct from these changing modes.
The verse points to guṇa-śuddhi: cultivating sattva through dharma, self-restraint, right conduct, and contemplative discipline—foundational to Purāṇic yoga and compatible with Pāśupata-oriented purification leading to steadier meditation.
Though not naming them directly, the teaching reflects the shared Purāṇic framework honored by both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions: liberation requires transcending guṇa-driven conduct, a goal presented as one in the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology.