Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 148

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

Devanagari script

धर्मोदया भानुमती योगिज्ञेय मनोजवा / मनोहरा मनोरक्षा तापसी वेदरूपिणी

Transliteration

dharmodayā bhānumatī yogijñeya manojavā / manoharā manorakṣā tāpasī vedarūpiṇī

Translation

هي فجرُ الدَّرما ونورُ الإشراق؛ تُدرَكُ لليوغيّين وسريعةٌ كالفكر. هي الآسرةُ، حاميةُ القلب والعقل؛ ذاتُ قوّةِ التَّقشّف، وهي عينُها صورةُ الفيدا.

Word by Word

• धर्म-उदया: in whom dharma rises; source of righteousness
• धर्म-उदया: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + उदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष) — ‘धर्मस्य उदयः’ (rise of dharma)

• भानुमती: radiant; shining
• भानुमती: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भानुमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessing radiance)

• योगि-ज्ञेया: knowable by yogins
• योगि-ज्ञेया: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञेय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष) — ‘योगिभिः ज्ञेया’ (to be known by yogins); ज्ञेय = √ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (gerundive)

• मनः-जवा: swift as the mind
• मनः-जवा: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक) + जव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष) — ‘मनसः जवः’ (speed of mind)

• मनः-हरा: mind-enchanting
• मनः-हरा: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक) + हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष) — ‘मनः हरति’ (steals/captivates the mind)

• मनः-रक्षा: protector of the mind
• मनः-रक्षा: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष) — ‘मनसः रक्षा’ (protection of the mind)

• तापसी: female ascetic; one devoted to tapas
• तापसी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापसी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• वेद-रूपिणी: having the form of the Veda
• वेद-रूपिणी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष) — ‘वेदस्य रूपम् अस्याः’ (having the form of the Veda)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing Indradyumna within the Ishvara Gita context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Devi (Shakti)
• Veda
• Dharma
• Yogins
• Tapas

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing the supreme power as “knowable to yogins” and “Veda-embodied,” the verse points to a reality realized inwardly through yoga (direct knowledge) and outwardly through śruti (revelation), indicating the same ultimate principle accessible as both experience and scripture.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The emphasis is on yogic realization (yogijñeyā): disciplined inner contemplation where the mind is protected and steadied (manorakṣā), supported by tapas (tāpasī). This aligns with Kurma Purana’s Pashupata-leaning ethic of austerity, restraint, and direct insight.

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

In Ishvara Gita style, the supreme is presented through shared Shaiva-Vaishnava categories—tapas, yoga-realization, and Vedic form—supporting a non-sectarian synthesis where the one divine reality is praised through multiple theological lenses.