Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 139
Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara
कथयस्व मुनिश्रेष्ठ कर्मयोगमनुत्तमम् / येनासौ भगवानीशः समाराध्यो मुमुक्षुभिः
kathayasva muniśreṣṭha karmayogamanuttamam / yenāsau bhagavānīśaḥ samārādhyo mumukṣubhiḥ
Ô bậc hiền triết tối thượng, xin hãy giảng dạy Karma-yoga vô thượng—nhờ đó, những người cầu giải thoát có thể thờ phụng và làm đẹp lòng Đấng Chí Tôn, Īśa, một cách viên mãn.
A seeker addressing a sage (within the Ishvara Gita setting of the Kurma Purana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It points to a single sovereign Lord (Īśa/Bhagavān) as the ultimate object of worship for liberation-seekers, implying a highest spiritual principle accessible through God-oriented discipline rather than mere ritualism.
The verse foregrounds Karma Yoga—selfless, disciplined action dedicated to Īśa—as a primary liberating practice, framing daily duties as worship (ārādhana) for mumukṣus.
By using the inclusive title Īśa alongside Bhagavān, the Ishvara Gita style supports the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where the Supreme Lord may be praised in Shaiva or Vaishnava idiom without contradiction.