Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 49

Madhu–Kaiṭabha, Nārāyaṇa’s Yoga-Nidrā, Rudra’s Manifestation, and the Aṣṭamūrti–Trimūrti Teaching

Devanagari script

नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय ब्रह्माधिपतये नमः / त्रियम्बकाय देवाय नमस्ते परमेष्ठिने

Transliteration

namo brahmaṇyadevāya brahmādhipataye namaḥ / triyambakāya devāya namaste parameṣṭhine

Translation

Ehrerbietung dem göttlichen Herrn, der den Brāhmaṇas gnädig ist; Ehrerbietung dem Souverän des Brahman (und Brahmās). Huldigung dem dreiaugigen Gott; Niederwerfung vor Dir, o Parameṣṭhin, höchster Herrscher über allem.

Word by Word

• namaḥ: Salutation
• namaḥ: None (governs Dative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (नमस्)
• Form: Indeclinable particle (Nipāta)

• brahmaṇyadevāya: To the deity favorable to Brahman/Vedas
• brahmaṇyadevāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmaṇyadeva (ब्रह्मण्यदेव)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• brahmādhipataye: To the Lord of Brahma/Vedas
• brahmādhipataye: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmādhipati (ब्रह्माधिपति)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• namaḥ: Salutation
• namaḥ: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (नमस्)
• Form: Indeclinable particle

• triyambakāya: To the Three-eyed One
• triyambakāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tryambaka (त्र्यम्बक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• devāya: To the God
• devāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (देव)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• namaḥ: Salutation
• namaḥ: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (नमस्)
• Form: Indeclinable particle

• te: To You
• te: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (युष्मद्)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• parameṣṭhine: To the Supreme Ruler/One standing at the summit
• parameṣṭhine: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameṣṭhin (परमेष्ठिन्)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

Speaker

A devotee/narrator offering an invocation within the Kurma Purana’s discourse (stotra-style praise of the Supreme as Śiva-Viṣṇu synthesis)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Tryambaka (Shiva)
• Brahmaṇya-deva
• Parameṣṭhin

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By addressing the Lord as Brahmādhipati and Parameṣṭhin, the verse points to a single supreme reality that transcends and governs Brahman/creation—hinting at the one Īśvara as the highest Self behind all divine functions.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse functions as mantra-like praṇāma (devotional salutation), a foundational practice for dhyāna and japa in Purāṇic yoga: steadying the mind through reverent remembrance of Īśvara before deeper disciplines such as Pāśupata-oriented meditation and inner worship.

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

It uses Śaiva epithets like Tryambaka alongside supreme titles (Parameṣṭhin, Brahmādhipati), reflecting the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance where the highest Lord is praised through both Śiva and Viṣṇu theological language.