Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 76

Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

स चिन्तयित्वा विश्वात्मा तद्वधोपायमव्ययः / सर्वेदेवमयं शुभ्रं वाराहं वपुरादधे

Transliteration

sa cintayitvā viśvātmā tadvadhopāyamavyayaḥ / sarvedevamayaṃ śubhraṃ vārāhaṃ vapurādadhe

Translation

فلما تفكّرَتِ الذاتُ الكونيةُ غيرُ الفانيةِ دبّرتْ وسيلةَ قتله؛ ثم اتّخذَ الربُّ هيئةَ «فَرَاهَا» الخنزيرِ البريّ المتلألئة، جسدًا مؤلَّفًا من جميع الآلهة.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• चिन्तयित्वा: having thought
• चिन्तयित्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (prior action)

• विश्वात्मा: the universal Self
• विश्वात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (the self that is the universe)

• तत्: of that
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थे (genitival sense), एकवचन; समासपूर्वपद (in compound)

• वध: slaying
• वध: Prayojana/Artha (अर्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; समासमध्यपद (in compound)

• उपायम्: means, strategy
• उपायम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; (समास: तद्-वध-उपाय)

• अव्ययः: imperishable
• अव्ययः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (epithet)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासपूर्वपद (in compound)

• देव: gods
• देव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; समासमध्यपद (in compound)

• मयम्: consisting of
• मयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तद्धितार्थ (made of/consisting of)

• शुभ्रम्: bright, pure
• शुभ्रम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• वाराहम्: boar-like
• वाराहम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाराह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (of a boar)

• वपुः: body, form
• वपुः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वपुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आदधे: assumed, took on
• आदधे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the Lord’s action

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Varaha
• Devas
• World-Self (Vishvatman)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It portrays the Supreme as viśvātmā—immanent as the World-Self—yet avyaya, imperishable; the same Reality can manifest a form without losing transcendence.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds divine saṅkalpa preceded by contemplation (cintayitvā): purposeful inner resolve guiding right action—an archetype for yogic discernment (viveka) before engaging in dharmic conduct.

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

By calling the Lord “sarvadevamaya”—embodying all gods—it supports the Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the one Supreme includes the powers revered as different deities, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava perspectives.