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Shloka 111

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

महानुभावा सत्त्वस्था महामहिषमर्दनी / पद्ममाला पापहरा विचित्रा मुकुटानना

mahānubhāvā sattvasthā mahāmahiṣamardanī / padmamālā pāpaharā vicitrā mukuṭānanā

Sie ist von großer Majestät, gegründet in der Reinheit des Sattva, die mächtige Bezwingerin des großen Büffeldämons; mit Lotusgirlande, die Sünden tilgt—wundersam an Gestalt, mit einem von einer Krone geschmückten Antlitz.

महानुभावाgreat-gloried, of great majesty
महानुभावा:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootमहान् + अनुभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (fem. nom. sg.)
सत्त्वस्थाabiding in sattva (purity)
सत्त्वस्था:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootसत्त्व + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘सत्त्वे स्थिता’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)
महामहिषमर्दनीslayer of the great buffalo(-demon)
महामहिषमर्दनी:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootमहान् + महिष + मर्दनिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘महामहिषं मर्दयति’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)
पद्ममालाhaving a lotus-garland
पद्ममाला:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootपद्म + माला (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘पद्मानां माला’/‘पद्ममालां धारयति’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)
पापहराremover of sin
पापहरा:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootपाप + हर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘पापं हरति’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)
विचित्राwondrous, variegated
विचित्रा:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootविचित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (fem. nom. sg.)
मुकुटाननाcrowned-faced; with a diademed countenance
मुकुटानना:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootमुकुट + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘मुकुटं (यथा) आननं यस्याः’/‘मुकुटेन शोभितानना’ इति (fem. nom. sg.)

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching within the Ishvara Gita context, presenting Devi-stuti consistent with Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

D
Devi
M
Mahishasura
S
Sattva
P
Padma (Lotus)

FAQs

By describing the Goddess as “sattvasthā” (established in sattva) and as the remover of sin, the verse points to the purifying, clarity-bestowing power that makes realization of the Self possible—inner purity (sattva) is treated as a gateway to direct knowledge.

The verse implies the yogic discipline of sattva-shuddhi—cultivating purity and clarity through devotion (stuti), ethical restraint, and inward steadiness; praising the Devi as pāpaharā aligns with purificatory practice that supports Pashupata-style inner transformation.

Within the Kurma Purana’s Ishvara Gita milieu, Vishnu (as Kurma) can extol the Goddess in terms resonant with Shaiva traditions (Mahishasura-mardini, sattva-shakti), reflecting a non-sectarian unity where divine functions are harmonized rather than opposed.