Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 178
Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat
Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis
त्वं हर्ता सर्वलोकानां कालात्मा ह्यैश्वरी तनुः / स्तूयते विविधैर्मन्त्रर्वेदविद्भिर्विचक्षणैः
tvaṃ hartā sarvalokānāṃ kālātmā hyaiśvarī tanuḥ / stūyate vividhairmantrarvedavidbhirvicakṣaṇaiḥ
Ngài là Đấng thu nhiếp mọi thế giới; quả thật Ngài chính là Thời Gian, hiện thân trong hình tướng thần quyền tối thượng. Ngài được các bậc minh triết thông Veda ca ngợi bằng vô số thần chú.
A sage/reciter offering stuti (hymn) to the Supreme Lord (Hari as Īśvara, identified with Time)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as kālātmā—Time as the very essence—indicating an all-governing, immanent Īśvara who withdraws the cosmos at pralaya, transcending individual worlds while pervading them.
The verse supports īśvara-smaraṇa through mantra and Vedic recitation: meditation on the Lord as Kāla (the power that dissolves all) cultivates vairāgya, steadiness of mind, and devotion aligned with Pāśupata-flavored contemplation of Īśvara’s sovereignty.
By praising one Īśvara as the cosmic Time-principle praised by Veda-knowers, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian stance: the supreme sovereignty (aiśvarya) attributed to Hari is equally the hallmark of Rudra-Śiva in Purāṇic synthesis.