Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 106

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

Devanagari script

सरोजनिलया मुद्रा योगनिद्रा सुरार्दिना / सरस्वती सर्वविद्या जगज्ज्येष्ठा सुमङ्गला

Transliteration

sarojanilayā mudrā yoganidrā surārdinā / sarasvatī sarvavidyā jagajjyeṣṭhā sumaṅgalā

Translation

Sie weilt auf dem Lotus; sie ist das Mudrā der geistigen Verwirklichung; sie ist Yoga-nidrā; sie bedrängt die Feinde der Götter; Sarasvatī—alles Wissen; die Älteste der Welt; und die höchst glückverheißende.

Word by Word

• सरोजनिलया: she who dwells in the lotus
• सरोजनिलया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सरोज-निलया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः; समासः: सरोजस्य निलया (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• मुद्रा: Mudrā (seal/gesture)
• मुद्रा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• योगनिद्रा: yogic sleep
• योगनिद्रा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग-निद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः: योगस्य निद्रा (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• सुरार्दिना: she who afflicts/crushes the gods (or enemies of gods)
• सुरार्दिना: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुर-अर्दिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः; समासः: सुरान् अर्दयति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-भाव)

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī
• सरस्वती: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सर्वविद्या: all knowledge
• सर्वविद्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः: सर्वा च सा विद्या (कर्मधारय)

• जगज्ज्येष्ठा: eldest/supreme of the world
• जगज्ज्येष्ठा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जगत्- ज्येष्ठा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः; समासः: जगतः ज्येष्ठा (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); सन्धिः: जगत् + ज्येष्ठा → जगज्ज्येष्ठा

• सुमङ्गला: very auspicious
• सुमङ्गला: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-मङ्गला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः; समासः: शोभना मङ्गला (उपसर्गपूर्वक-कर्मधारय)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing in the Ishvara Gita style hymn/praise

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Sarasvati
• Yoga-nidra

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By attributing cosmic functions like Yoga-nidrā and primordial seniority (jagajjyeṣṭhā) to the Goddess, the verse implies that ultimate reality is a single, all-pervading power manifesting as consciousness, knowledge, and auspicious order—qualities that the seeker recognizes inwardly as the Atman’s luminous intelligence.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to mudrā (a yogic “seal” or stabilizing mark of realization) and yoganidrā (deep yogic repose). In Kurma Purana’s Yoga-oriented teaching, these suggest disciplined inner stillness where knowledge (sarasvatī/sarvavidyā) becomes steady and transformative.

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

Although voiced in a Vaishnava setting (Lord Kūrma), the verse praises a divine śakti that functions as cosmic power and knowledge—consistent with Shaiva-Śākta language—thus supporting the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where Shiva-Vishnu unity is expressed through shared divine attributes and a single supreme principle.