Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 10

Naimiṣa-kṣetra-prādurbhāva and Jāpyeśvara-māhātmya — Nandī’s Birth, Japa, and Consecration

Devanagari script

अत्र देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सयक्षोरगराक्षसाः / तपस्तप्त्वा पुरा देवा लेभिरे प्रवरान् वरान्

Transliteration

atra devāḥ sagandharvāḥ sayakṣoragarākṣasāḥ / tapastaptvā purā devā lebhire pravarān varān

Translation

هنا، في الأزمنة السالفة، قام الدِّيفَا (Deva) مع الغندهرفا (Gandharva) والياكشا (Yakṣa) والناغا (Nāga) والراكشسا (Rākṣasa) برياضاتٍ وزهدٍ (tapas)؛ وبقوة ذلك التَّپَس نال الآلهةُ عطايا رفيعة.

Word by Word

• atra: here
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (locative adverb: here)

• devāḥ: gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), बहुवचन

• sa-gandharvāḥ: together with Gandharvas
• sa-gandharvāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सहगन्धर्वाः = gandharvaiḥ saha (with Gandharvas)

• sa-yakṣa-uraga-rākṣasāḥ: together with Yakṣas, serpents, and Rākṣasas
• sa-yakṣa-uraga-rākṣasāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + yakṣa + uraga + rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘with Yakṣas, serpents, and Rākṣasas’ (saha-artha)

• tapaḥ: austerity/penance
• tapaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• taptvā: having performed (austerity)
• taptvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tap (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल

• purā: formerly
• purā: Kālādhi karaṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (formerly/once)

• devāḥ: the gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), बहुवचन

• lebhire: obtained
• lebhire: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: labh (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, आत्मनेपद

• pravarān: excellent/choice
• pravarān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pravara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), बहुवचन; (varān) इति विशेष्येण सह

• varān: boons
• varān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), बहुवचन

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic discourse, traditionally Sūta/Vyāsa framing)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Yakshas
• Uraga (Nagas)
• Rakshasas

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes tapas as a purifying discipline that makes beings fit to receive higher attainments; in the Kurma Purana’s broader theology, such discipline supports realization of the indwelling Lord/Ātman and the grace that follows inner purification.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) is highlighted as a core yogic limb—self-discipline, restraint, and sustained spiritual effort—often paired in the Kurma Purana with vows, purity, and devotion, aligning with Shaiva-Pāśupata and Vaishnava frameworks of practice leading to siddhi and divine favor.

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

By presenting tapas as a universal spiritual law honored by all classes of beings, the verse fits the Kurma Purana’s synthetic stance: boons and spiritual fruition arise through discipline and divine grace, regardless of whether the narrative context is Shaiva (Pāśupata) or Vaishnava (Nārāyaṇa/Kūrma) emphasis.