Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

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

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मजन्मा हरेर्मूर्तिर्ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मिका / ब्रह्मेशविष्णुजननी ब्रह्माख्या ब्रह्मसंश्रया

Transliteration

brahmajanmā harermūrtirbrahmaviṣṇuśivātmikā / brahmeśaviṣṇujananī brahmākhyā brahmasaṃśrayā

Translation

তিনি হরির মূর্তি, যাঁর থেকে ব্রহ্মার জন্ম; তিনি ব্রহ্মা-বিষ্ণু-শিবের আত্মাস্বরূপা। তিনি ব্রহ্মা, ঈশ (শিব) ও বিষ্ণুর জননী—‘ব্রহ্ম’ নামে খ্যাত, এবং ব্রহ্মেই আশ্রিতা তথা ব্রহ্মরূপা।

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मजन्मा: having Brahmā/Brahman as origin
• ब्रह्मजन्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्मणः जन्म’ (having Brahmā as origin / born from Brahman)

• हरेः: of Hari (Viṣṇu)
• हरेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (gen. sg.)

• मूर्तिः: form, embodiment
• मूर्तिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मिका: whose essence is Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva
• ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मिका: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + विष्णु + शिव + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्म-विष्णु-शिव-आत्मा यस्याः’ (whose essence is Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva)

• ब्रह्मेशविष्णुजननी: mother of Brahmā, Īśa and Viṣṇu
• ब्रह्मेशविष्णुजननी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मा + ईश + विष्णु + जननी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्मेशविष्णूनां जननी’ (mother of Brahmā, Īśa, and Viṣṇu)

• ब्रह्माख्या: called Brahman
• ब्रह्माख्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + आख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्म इति आख्या यस्याः’ (named ‘Brahman’)

• ब्रह्मसंश्रया: resting in Brahman
• ब्रह्मसंश्रया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + संश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्मणि संश्रिता’ (resting in Brahman)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna (Ishvara Gita context)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Brahma
• Shiva (Isha)
• Brahman
• Devi (Supreme Shakti)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It identifies the supreme principle with Brahman itself—self-established, the ultimate ground in which even the creator-god (Brahmā) and the Trimūrti functions arise—pointing to an Absolute beyond sectarian division.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports Ishvara-centered contemplation: meditating on the one Reality (Brahman) manifesting as Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva through Śakti, a key orientation for Pāśupata-style devotion allied with jñāna (knowledge of non-dual ground).

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

It presents Śiva and Viṣṇu (along with Brahmā) as expressions of a single supreme essence, emphasizing synthesis and non-sectarian unity characteristic of the Kurma Purana’s Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava integration.