Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 123

Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara

Devanagari script

इदं भक्ताय शान्ताय धार्मिकायाहिताग्नये / विज्ञानमैश्वरं देयं ब्राह्मणाय विशेषतः

Transliteration

idaṃ bhaktāya śāntāya dhārmikāyāhitāgnaye / vijñānamaiśvaraṃ deyaṃ brāhmaṇāya viśeṣataḥ

Translation

هذه الحكمة الإلهية السيّدة، المرتكزة على إيشڤارا، ينبغي أن تُعطى للمحبّ المتعبّد الهادئ، الثابت في الدارما والحافظ للنيران المقدّسة؛ وعلى وجه الخصوص تُمنح للبراهمن.

Word by Word

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भक्ताय: to a devotee
• भक्ताय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• शान्ताय: to a peaceful one
• शान्ताय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; भक्ताय इति विशेषण

• धार्मिकाय: to a righteous one
• धार्मिकाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धार्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; भक्ताय इति विशेषण

• आहिताग्नये: to one who has established the sacred fires
• आहिताग्नये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आहित + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-समासः (आहितः अग्निः यस्य सः/आहिताग्निः)

• विज्ञानम्: knowledge
• विज्ञानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ऐश्वरम्: divine, lordly
• ऐश्वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऐश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विज्ञानम् इति विशेषण

• देयम्: should be given
• देयम्: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive: to be given), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय

• ब्राह्मणाय: to a brāhmaṇa
• ब्राह्मणाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• विशेषतः: especially
• विशेषतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विशेषतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: especially)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) teaching the Ishvara Gita

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Īśvara
• Brāhmaṇa
• Āhitāgni

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames true spiritual knowledge as “aiśvara vijñāna”—realized wisdom centered on Īśvara—suggesting that liberation-oriented understanding is not mere theory but a disciplined, devotional realization fit for qualified seekers.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes prerequisites that support Yoga: bhakti (devotion), śama/śānti (inner calm and self-control), dhārmika conduct, and Vedic discipline symbolized by āhitāgni—together indicating purification and steadiness needed for Ishvara-oriented contemplation.

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

By presenting “aiśvara” wisdom spoken by Lord Kūrma within the Ishvara Gita, it reflects the Purana’s synthesis: devotion and discipline culminate in Īśvara-realization that transcends sectarian boundaries, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava approaches through a shared Īśvara-centered path.