Shloka 27
Commencement of the Upari-bhāga: The Sages Request Brahma-vidyā; Vyāsa Recalls the Badarikā Inquiry and Śiva–Viṣṇu Theophany
कः संसारयतीशानः को वा सर्वं प्रपश्यति / किं तत् परतरं ब्रह्म सर्वं नो वक्तुमर्हसि
kaḥ saṃsārayatīśānaḥ ko vā sarvaṃ prapaśyati / kiṃ tat parataraṃ brahma sarvaṃ no vaktumarhasi
Ai là Īśāna khiến muôn loài bị đặt vào vòng saṃsāra? Và ai là Đấng thấy biết tất cả? Brahman tối thượng, vượt ngoài đó không còn gì cao hơn, là gì? Xin Ngài từ bi nói cho chúng con trọn vẹn.
Sages (inquiring of Lord Kūrma/Īśvara in the Ishvara Gita setting)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It frames the central Upaniṣadic inquiry: the Supreme reality is that “Brahman” beyond which nothing higher exists, identified with the all-seeing Lord who governs saṃsāra—pointing to one ultimate principle behind both immanence (seeing all) and transcendence (beyond all).
This verse initiates the contemplative approach of the Ishvara Gita: first discern the supreme cause (Īśvara/Brahman) and the mechanism of bondage (saṃsāra). In the Kurma Purana’s yoga framework, such inquiry (vicāra) becomes the basis for disciplined practice—devotion, meditation on the all-seeing Lord, and knowledge leading toward liberation.
By using the Shaiva title “Īśāna” while asking about the highest “Brahman,” the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology: the supreme Lord addressed through Shaiva language is ultimately the same highest reality taught as Brahman, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava viewpoints.