Shloka 14

Naimittika-pralaya and the Theology of Kāla: Seven Suns, Saṃvartaka Fire, Flood, and Varāha Kalpa

Devanagari script

सप्तरश्मिरथो भूत्वा समुत्तिष्ठन् दिवाकरः / असह्यरश्मिर्भवति पिबन्नम्भो गभस्तिभिः

Transliteration

saptaraśmiratho bhūtvā samuttiṣṭhan divākaraḥ / asahyaraśmirbhavati pibannambho gabhastibhiḥ

Translation

وإذ يصير الشمسُ كالعربة ذات الأشعة السبع ينهضُ ويطلع؛ وبأشعته يشربُ المياه، فيغدو ذا لمعانٍ لا يُطاق.

Word by Word

• sapta-raśmi-rathaḥ: (he who has) a chariot of seven rays
• sapta-raśmi-rathaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sapta-raśmi-ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (determinative): saptānāṃ raśmīnām rathaḥ ('chariot of seven rays')

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अनुक्रम/आरम्भार्थक-निपात (particle: 'then/now')

• bhūtvā: having become
• bhūtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययकृदन्त; अर्थः: 'having become'

• samuttiṣṭhan: rising up
• samuttiṣṭhan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ut-sthā (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अर्थः: 'rising up'

• divākaraḥ: the sun
• divākaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: divākara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष: divaḥ karaḥ ('maker of day' = sun)

• asahya-raśmiḥ: with unbearable rays
• asahya-raśmiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asahya-raśmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय: asahyaḥ raśmiḥ yasya ('having unbearable rays'); विशेषण दिवाकरस्य

• bhavati: becomes
• bhavati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• piban: drinking
• piban: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pā (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अर्थः: 'drinking'

• ambhaḥ: water
• ambhaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (Acc.2), एकवचन

• gabhastibhiḥ: with (his) rays
• gabhastibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gabhasti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया (Instr.3), बहुवचन; अर्थः: 'rays/hands' (here: rays)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic discourse voice, within the Kurma Purana’s cosmological teaching section)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Divākara (Sun)
• Saptaraśmi (seven rays)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it portrays a lawful cosmic order where the Sun’s power operates by fixed principles; in Purāṇic theology this regulated power points to an inner, governing Reality (Īśvara/Ātman) that upholds the universe without disorder.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports a contemplative practice of observing cosmic processes (sūrya-dhyāna / tattva-vicāra): reflecting on the Sun’s regulated energy and transformation cultivates steadiness (dhāraṇā) and reverence for ṛta/dharma—foundational attitudes for Pāśupata-style discipline and purification.

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

By presenting cosmic functions (like the Sun’s rays absorbing waters) as expressions of a single divine governance, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the sustaining order attributed to Viṣṇu and the transformative power associated with Śiva are understood as complementary operations of one Supreme Lord.