Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 59

Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching

Iśvara-Gītā Prelude

Devanagari script

येर्ऽचयन्तीह भूतानामाश्रयं परमेश्वरम् / ज्ञानेन कर्मयोगेन न तेषां प्रभवाम्यहम्

Transliteration

yer'cayantīha bhūtānāmāśrayaṃ parameśvaram / jñānena karmayogena na teṣāṃ prabhavāmyaham

Translation

Diejenigen, die hier in der Welt den höchsten Herrn, die letzte Zuflucht aller Wesen, durch Erkenntnis und durch Karma-Yoga verehren—über sie habe Ich keine Macht; Ich kann nicht über sie siegen.

Word by Word

• ye: Who/Those who
• ye: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• arcayanti: Worship
• arcayanti: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arc (धातु)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Plural

• iha: Here (in this world)
• iha: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of place

• bhūtānām: Of beings
• bhūtānām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• āśrayam: Refuge/Shelter
• āśrayam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• parameśvaram: Supreme Lord
• parameśvaram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• jñānena: By knowledge
• jñānena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• karmayogena: By the yoga of action
• karmayogena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karmayoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• na: Not
• na: Nishedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of negation

• teṣām: Of them / Over them
• teṣām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• prabhavāmi: I prevail/have power
• prabhavāmi: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-bhū (धातु)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Parasmaipada, 1st Person, Singular

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu as the Supreme Ishvara, teaching in the Ishvara Gita context)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Parameśvara
• Karma-yoga
• Jñāna

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents Parameśvara as the āśraya—the ultimate ground and refuge of all beings—implying a supreme, all-supporting reality known through jñāna and approached through disciplined practice.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Two complementary disciplines are emphasized: jñāna (liberating insight into the Supreme) and karma-yoga (selfless, consecrated action). Together they form a practical path where worship is expressed through both understanding and duty.

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

By using the title Parameśvara and framing liberation through yoga and worship, the verse aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where the Supreme Lord is one reality approached through shared Shaiva-Vaishnava yogic vocabulary.