Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 177
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
हन्तुमर्हसि दैत्येशमन्धकं लोककण्टकम् / त्वामृते भगवान् शक्तो हन्ता नान्यो ऽस्य विद्यते
hantumarhasi daityeśamandhakaṃ lokakaṇṭakam / tvāmṛte bhagavān śakto hantā nānyo 'sya vidyate
Chỉ riêng Ngài xứng đáng diệt Andhaka, chúa tể loài Daitya, kẻ như gai nhọn đối với các thế giới. Ngoài Ngài ra, ôi Đức Thế Tôn, không ai khác có thể giết được hắn.
A devotee/sage addressing Bhagavan (in the Andhaka episode context, an appeal to Shiva as the supreme protector)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as uniquely competent to remove world-threatening ignorance and adharma (symbolized by Andhaka). The implied teaching is that ultimate deliverance and cosmic order-restoration depend on the highest Lord, not on limited agents.
The verse itself is a devotional invocation (īśvara-prārthanā) emphasizing śaraṇāgati—taking refuge in the Lord. In the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva-Pashupata orientation, such surrender supports steadiness of mind (dhāraṇā) and aligns practice with divine grace (anugraha) as a prerequisite for inner conquest of darkness (andhatva).
By addressing a single “Bhagavan” as the sole competent protector, it reflects the Purana’s integrative theology: the saving power is one, whether expressed as Shiva’s destructive-protective force or Vishnu’s world-sustaining sovereignty—two names/forms serving one supreme function.