Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24
Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage
Yātrā-vidhi
अश्वमेधफलं तत्र स्मृतमात्रात् तु जायते / यावच्चन्द्रश्च सूर्यश्च तावत् स्वर्गे महीयते
aśvamedhaphalaṃ tatra smṛtamātrāt tu jāyate / yāvaccandraśca sūryaśca tāvat svarge mahīyate
وہاں محض یاد کرنے سے اشومیدھ یَگّیہ کے برابر ثواب حاصل ہوتا ہے؛ اور جب تک چاند اور سورج قائم ہیں، تب تک وہ سُوَرگ میں معزز رہتا ہے۔
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing (contextual phala-śruti discourse)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By valuing mere smaraṇa (inner recollection) as equal to a grand outer sacrifice, the verse points to inwardness: true spiritual merit is rooted in consciousness and devoted remembrance, aligning action with the indwelling Self rather than relying only on external ritual scale.
The practice implied is smaraṇa—steady recollection/mental worship—an inner discipline akin to dhyāna and japa in Yoga-śāstra, where continuous remembrance becomes an ‘internal yajña’ producing lasting spiritual merit.
While not naming Śiva explicitly, the teaching reflects the Purana’s synthesis: inner devotion and yogic remembrance are upheld as supreme means across both Vaiṣṇava bhakti and Śaiva (including Pāśupata) orientations, emphasizing shared spiritual efficacy beyond sectarian ritual forms.