Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Svāyambhuva Lineage to Dakṣa; Pṛthu’s Devotion; Pāśupata Saṃnyāsa; Dakṣa–Satī Episode
अथास्मिन्नन्तरे ऽपश्यत् तमायान्तं महामुनिम् / श्वेताश्वतरनामानं महापाशुपतोत्तमम्
athāsminnantare 'paśyat tamāyāntaṃ mahāmunim / śvetāśvataranāmānaṃ mahāpāśupatottamam
Bấy giờ, trong lúc ấy, ngài thấy một đại thánh hiền đang tiến đến, tên là Śvetāśvatara, bậc tối thượng trong hàng những người theo đạo Pāśupata cao quý (tín đồ của Śiva).
Sūta (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
This verse does not directly define Ātman; it advances the narrative by introducing Śvetāśvatara, a foremost Pāśupata adept—preparing the ground for later teachings where devotion and knowledge converge toward the Supreme.
The verse signals the Pāśupata orientation of the coming teacher (a mahāpāśupata), implying a Śaiva discipline centered on devotion to Paśupati (Śiva), austerity, and yogic restraint—key frames used in the Kurma Purana’s integrated yoga-dharma teaching.
By honoring a supreme Pāśupata authority within the Kurma Purana’s Vaiṣṇava narrative setting, the text models Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis: revered Śaiva lineages are presented as compatible with the Purana’s broader vision of one Supreme worshipped in multiple forms.