Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14
Genealogies of Kaśyapa and Pulastya; Rise of Brahmavādin Lines and Rākṣasa Branches
त्रिशिरा दूषणश्चैव विद्युज्जिह्वो महाबलः / इत्येते क्रूरकर्माणः पौलस्त्या राक्षसा दश / सर्वे तपोबलोत्कृष्टा रुद्रभक्ताः सुभीषणाः
triśirā dūṣaṇaścaiva vidyujjihvo mahābalaḥ / ityete krūrakarmāṇaḥ paulastyā rākṣasā daśa / sarve tapobalotkṛṣṭā rudrabhaktāḥ subhīṣaṇāḥ
三首、杜沙那与大力的电舌——如是十位普罗拉斯提耶系的罗刹，行事残酷；然皆以苦行之力而卓越，虔奉鲁陀罗，极其可怖。
Suta (narrator) describing the lineage and qualities of the Paulastya rākṣasas within the Purva-bhaga narrative frame
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
This verse is primarily descriptive (naming fierce Paulastya rākṣasas) and does not directly teach Ātman-doctrine; indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic theme that even formidable beings gain extraordinary capacities through tapas and devotion, while ultimate liberation requires right knowledge and dharma beyond mere power.
No specific yogic technique is taught here; the practice implied is tapas (austerity/discipline) as a spiritual force, paired with rudra-bhakti (devotion to Śiva). In the broader Kurma Purana, tapas is meant to be guided by dharma and oriented toward inner purification rather than cruelty.
It shows Rudra as an object of devotion even for powerful non-human beings, supporting the Kurma Purana’s broader ecumenical tone where Śiva-bhakti is honored within a Vaiṣṇava-framed Purāṇa; the synthesis becomes explicit later in teachings that harmonize devotion and ultimate reality.