Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 41
Commencement of the Upari-bhāga: The Sages Request Brahma-vidyā; Vyāsa Recalls the Badarikā Inquiry and Śiva–Viṣṇu Theophany
त्वं हि वेत्थ स्वमात्मानं न ह्यन्यो विद्यते शिव / ततस्त्वमात्मनात्मानं मुनीन्द्रेभ्यः प्रदर्शय
tvaṃ hi vettha svamātmānaṃ na hyanyo vidyate śiva / tatastvamātmanātmānaṃ munīndrebhyaḥ pradarśaya
噢，湿婆啊，唯有你真正知晓你自身的真我（Ātman），因为别无他者能独立知之。故请以你自己的真我，向诸大牟尼显示真我。
The sages (munis) addressing Shiva (Rudra) within the Ishvara Gita framework
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It implies the Self is self-luminous and ultimately known only through itself—no external agent can grasp it; realization occurs when the inner Self reveals itself.
The verse points to inward realization central to Pāśupata-oriented discipline: turning awareness to the indwelling Self (ātman) so that knowledge arises through direct experiential insight rather than mere external instruction.
By presenting Śiva as the revealer and essence of the Self, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where the supreme reality is one, expressed through Shiva/Vishnu terminology within the Ishvara Gita teaching context.