Koorm Puran in Simple Language
The word “Koorm” means tortoise, and this form of Vishnu is connected to the famous story of the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), where the Lord supported a mountain on his back to help gods and demons churn the ocean for nectar.
Origin of Koorm Puran
According to tradition, this Purana was told by Lord Vishnu himself in his tortoise form to great sages. It is said to have about 17,000 verses (shlokas) divided into two main parts – the Purva Vibhaga (first part) and the Uttara Vibhaga (second part).
The detailed description of the kings of Kroshtu dynasty, Saatvat dynasty, and Krishna dynasty has been given in the 23rd chapter. The histrionics of Lord Shri Krishna has been described from the 24th to 26th chapters. Therein the stories are described about prayer of Lord Mahadev by Shri Krishna at Upmanyu's ashram, boon of a son to Shri Krishna by Shivji, Shri Krishna returning to Dwarka after visiting Kailash and preaching Markandeya muni about Ling-tatva and explaning the importance of the worship of Ling, birth of Samb from the womb of Shri Krishna's wife Jambvati as a result of the boon of Lord Shiv, execution of Kans and arrival of Shri Krishna at Golok.
From the 28th to 33rd chapters, outline of Kaliyug-dharma, the dialogues related with religion between Maharshi Vyas and Jaimini muni, and the glory of Kashi have been analysed. In this chapter, there is episode of the execution of Gajasur by Lord Mahadev and donning his skin as cloth and hence being called as Kritivasishwar. After that, introducing different pilgrim spots in Kashi, the glory of Omkarishwar ling, Kapardishwar ling, Pishachmochan kund, Madhymishwar Mahadev etc., their method of worship and related mythological stories have been described.
The Poorva Vibhag (Pre-division) concludes with the mythological geography of the earth that is Jumbu etc. seven islands, seven oceans, solar system and nakshatra mandal (system), glory of sun, avatars to be taken by Lord Shiv in Kaliyug, and the description of the seven manvantars of future.
2. Upari Vibhag (Post-Division)
The Post-Division of Koorm Puran begins with the dialogues between Lord Shiv and rishis. This discussion has been known as Ishwar Gita. Extremely philosophical and spiritual analysis has been made of Ishwar Gita in this Puran.
Mentioning about Atmatatva, Lord Mahadev says in the Ishwar Gita, "Soul is only clean, free from vices, holy, and tamoguni. It is timeless according to Vedas. Soul is one only, but it acquires several bodies due to being engaged with illusory bonds. Like light and darkness, sunshine and shadow, there is no relation between supreme soul and illusion. They are totally different. But being inflicted with illusion, soul takes several births after which it does not attain freedom. Although knowledgeable and learned men consider soul to be free from vices and irrespective of nature, yet some men consider soul as consumer due to ignorance. Ignorance begets avivek (opposite to wisdom). Man engages in good and bad - all kinds of deeds - due to avivek, and becomes victim of sin and winner of punya according to deeds. Man takes birth to suffer for these deeds. Opposite to this, the soul is clear and free of vices. It illuminates in its own light. When scholars witness soul in this form, they realize Brahm."
In the context of yog, it is said that yog actually is the gist of Vedant. Yog means concentration of mind. Yog and knowledge are complement to each other. There is nothing unattainable in the world for the person who imbibes yog and knowledge.
Establishing the form of Pashupati, Lord Shiv says, "All the living beings of the universe are called animals if looked by the vision of soul, and for being their master, I am famous by the name of Pashupati (master of animal). Jeevs are bound in the noose of illusion due to my creation. I salvage them. There is no one else to free the people of the world except me. It is my radiance that spreads in the entire universe."
In this division (vibhag), following Ishwar Gita, the deep mysteries of different rituals and procedures of Vyas Gita have been described after establishing its extremely philosophical and precise meaning. Vyas Gita begins with varnashram- dharma and the description of good conduct. Regarding Brahmcharya dharma, Maharshi Vedvyas says that a Brahmchari (the man who is unmarried and observes celibacy) should be humble and obedient towards elder folks. He who provides worldly and Vedic knowledge should be treated like guru. Even elder relatives should be honoured like guru by mind, words, and body. Brahmchari should neither sit by the side of guru nor should engage in debate with him. The mother who gives birth, the nurse who fosters, scholarly woman who preaches knowledge, wife of elder brother, and wife of guru should be respected as guru. They who wish their well-being should not disrespect these five even by mistake.
Describing the grihasth-dharma, Maharshi Vyas says, "man should marry with decent, beautiful, virtuous, good mannered, well-behaved, and free-of-vice girl and should copulate with her during ritukaal (period when chances of conception are maximum). Bedding with woman is totally prohibited on sixth, eighth, twelfth, and fourteenth days of a month. Householders should keep away from such vices as killing of jeev, untruthful speech, and theft." Besides Vyasji has analysed Gayatri mantra, Eikadashi vrat, shraadh (post- funeral rites), and donation etc.
In the context of Vanprastha-dharma, it is said that man can enter into Vanprastha-ashram with his wife, but, leaving wife in the care of sons, the lonely Vanprastha is quite superior. Man should perform tapa and sadhana (steady meditation) in the forest. He should feed on fruits. Making a disciplined habit for meal, he should observe it stringently. Vanprasthi should take his meals everyday after offering food to God and guests. Vanprasthi should grow hair, feed on alms, keep control on his voice, and continuously engage into learning by himself.
Regarding Sanyas-dharma, Vyasji says that man should spend a fourth of his life into sanyasashram. Keeping quiet during this ashram, man should excel into yog and the knowledge of Brahm (brahm-vidya). Not staying at one place, he should keep wandering. His mind should be detached from all the worldy objects. Sanyasi (saint) should don clothes of bright red colour.
After Vyas Gita, the stories related with Prayag teerth, Prabhas teerth, Kubjashram teerth, Saaraswat teerth, Pushkar teerth, Rudrakoti teerth, Devalaya teerth, Badrivan teerth, etc. and their glory have been established.
At last, this Puran has been concluded with the prayer of Lord Vishnu and Vyasji and the glory of reading, listening, and reminiscing of Koorm Puran.
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