Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 70
Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rudra’s Samanvaya Teaching
Maṅkaṇaka Episode
मम वै सापरा शक्तिर्देवी विद्येति विश्रुता / दृष्टा हि भवता नूनं विद्यादेहस्त्वहं ततः
mama vai sāparā śaktirdevī vidyeti viśrutā / dṛṣṭā hi bhavatā nūnaṃ vidyādehastvahaṃ tataḥ
Quả thật, quyền năng cao thượng của Ta được tôn xưng là Nữ Thần Vidyā (Tri Thức Thánh). Hẳn nay ngươi đã được thấy Nàng; vì thế, Ta chính là thân thể của Tri Thức ấy (Vidyā-deha).
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing the inquirer (contextually King Indradyumna / sages in the Kaurma dialogue frame)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents the Supreme as not merely possessing knowledge, but as knowledge embodied—indicating a non-dual view where true Vidyā is inseparable from Īśvara’s very being.
The verse supports a jñāna-oriented discipline within Pāśupata-inflected practice: realization comes through direct vision of Vidyā-Śakti—i.e., contemplative insight where knowledge becomes lived identity rather than mere concept.
By grounding liberation in a shared principle—Vidyā-Śakti and Īśvara as knowledge itself—the verse aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthetic stance where sectarian boundaries soften in the face of one supreme reality expressed through different divine forms.