Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 111

Devī-tattva, Śakti–Śaktimān doctrine, Kāla–Māyā cosmology, and Māheśvara Yoga instruction

Devanagari script

महानुभावा सत्त्वस्था महामहिषमर्दनी / पद्ममाला पापहरा विचित्रा मुकुटानना

Transliteration

mahānubhāvā sattvasthā mahāmahiṣamardanī / padmamālā pāpaharā vicitrā mukuṭānanā

Translation

هي ذات جلال عظيم، قائمة في صفاء السَّتْفَا (sattva)، القوية التي صرعت شيطان الجاموس العظيم؛ متقلدة إكليل اللوتس، مزيلة الآثام—بهية الصورة، ووجهها مزدان بتاج مهيب.

Word by Word

• महानुभावा: great-gloried, of great majesty
• महानुभावा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महान् + अनुभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (fem. nom. sg.)

• सत्त्वस्था: abiding in sattva (purity)
• सत्त्वस्था: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्त्व + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘सत्त्वे स्थिता’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)

• महामहिषमर्दनी: slayer of the great buffalo(-demon)
• महामहिषमर्दनी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महान् + महिष + मर्दनिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘महामहिषं मर्दयति’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)

• पद्ममाला: having a lotus-garland
• पद्ममाला: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + माला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘पद्मानां माला’/‘पद्ममालां धारयति’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)

• पापहरा: remover of sin
• पापहरा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाप + हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘पापं हरति’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)

• विचित्रा: wondrous, variegated
• विचित्रा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (fem. nom. sg.)

• मुकुटानना: crowned-faced; with a diademed countenance
• मुकुटानना: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुकुट + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘मुकुटं (यथा) आननं यस्याः’/‘मुकुटेन शोभितानना’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching within the Ishvara Gita context, presenting Devi-stuti consistent with Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Devi
• Mahishasura
• Sattva
• Padma (Lotus)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

By describing the Goddess as “sattvasthā” (established in sattva) and as the remover of sin, the verse points to the purifying, clarity-bestowing power that makes realization of the Self possible—inner purity (sattva) is treated as a gateway to direct knowledge.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse implies the yogic discipline of sattva-shuddhi—cultivating purity and clarity through devotion (stuti), ethical restraint, and inward steadiness; praising the Devi as pāpaharā aligns with purificatory practice that supports Pashupata-style inner transformation.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

Within the Kurma Purana’s Ishvara Gita milieu, Vishnu (as Kurma) can extol the Goddess in terms resonant with Shaiva traditions (Mahishasura-mardini, sattva-shakti), reflecting a non-sectarian unity where divine functions are harmonized rather than opposed.