Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 118

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

Devanagari script

निर्गुणा नित्यविभवा निः सारा निरपत्रपा / यशस्विनी सामगीतिर्भवाङ्गनिलयालया

Transliteration

nirguṇā nityavibhavā niḥ sārā nirapatrapā / yaśasvinī sāmagītirbhavāṅganilayālayā

Translation

هي متعاليةٌ عن الغونات، ذاتُ سيادةٍ أزلية؛ لا خواءَ في جوهرها ولا خجل. هي مجيدة؛ هي ترنيمةُ أناشيد السامان؛ هي المقامُ في جسد بهافا (شيفا) نفسه، وهي بذاتها المقامُ الأعلى.

Word by Word

• निर्गुणा: without qualities (beyond guṇas)
• निर्गुणा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्-गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपसर्ग-पूर्वपद-समासः (निर् = without)

• नित्यविभवा: of eternal power/prosperity
• नित्यविभवा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य-विभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (नित्यः विभवः यस्याः/या)

• निःसारा: without essence (beyond material essence)
• निःसारा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निः-सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; निः (without) + सार

• निरपत्रपा: without shame/fear; unabashed
• निरपत्रपा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्-अपत्रप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; निर् (without) + अपत्रपा (shame/modesty)

• यशस्विनी: famous; glorious
• यशस्विनी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यशस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; यशस्-मत् (possessing fame)

• सामगीतिः: Sāma-chant; singing of Sāmans
• सामगीतिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साम-गीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (साम्नः गीतिः = Sāman-chant)

• भवाङ्गनिलयालया: abode/support of the limbs/parts of existence
• भवाङ्गनिलयालया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भव-अङ्ग-निलय-आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष-श्रृङ्खला: (भवस्य अङ्गम्) + (अङ्गस्य निलयः) + (निलयस्य आलयः); अर्थतः 'भवस्य अङ्ग-निलयः' इति आश्रय-स्थानम्

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching in the Ishvara Gita context (Upari-bhaga 1–11), presenting a Devi-focused litany compatible with Shaiva–Vaishnava non-dual devotion

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Kurma (Vishnu)
• Bhava (Shiva)
• Devi (Supreme Goddess)
• Sama Veda

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling the Goddess “nirguṇā” and “nityavibhavā,” the verse points to the Supreme reality as transcending prakṛti’s guṇas while remaining the eternal source of power—an Atman/Brahman-like principle expressed here through Devi.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Rather than a technique-list, the verse supports meditative upāsanā: contemplate the Supreme as guṇa-transcendent (nirguṇa) yet immanent (dwelling within Bhava’s body), and use sacred sound (Sāma-gīti) as a mantra-like support for concentration and devotion.

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

Within the Ishvara Gita setting where Lord Kurma instructs, the verse praises a Supreme principle identified with Devi who abides in Bhava (Śiva), aligning with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian vision in which ultimate divinity is one, expressed through Śiva–Viṣṇu–Śakti unity.