Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 152

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

Devanagari script

अचिन्त्याचिन्त्यविभवा हृल्लेखा कनकप्रभा / कूष्माण्डी धनरत्नाढ्या सुगन्धा गन्धायिनी

Transliteration

acintyācintyavibhavā hṛllekhā kanakaprabhā / kūṣmāṇḍī dhanaratnāḍhyā sugandhā gandhāyinī

Translation

Sie ist unvorstellbar, und auch ihre souveräne Macht übersteigt jedes Denken. Sie schreibt sich ins Herz; sie leuchtet in goldenem Glanz. Sie ist Kūṣmāṇḍī, reich an Gütern und Juwelen; wohlriechend und zugleich die Quelle, die den Duft verbreitet.

Word by Word

• अचिन्त्य-अचिन्त्य-विभवा: of inconceivable splendour
• अचिन्त्य-अचिन्त्य-विभवा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अचिन्त्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अचिन्त्य (प्रातिपदिक) + विभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (unthinkable, of unthinkable power/splendour)

• हृत्-लेखा: heart-mark (heart-enchanting)
• हृत्-लेखा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृत्/हृद् (प्रातिपदिक) + लेखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (हृदः लेखा = mark/line of the heart; heart-enchanting line)

• कनक-प्रभा: golden-lustrous
• कनक-प्रभा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनक (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कनकस्य प्रभा = golden radiance)

• कूष्माण्डी: Kūṣmāṇḍī (a goddess name)
• कूष्माण्डी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूष्माण्डी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; देवी-नाम

• धन-रत्न-आढ्या: rich in wealth and jewels
• धन-रत्न-आढ्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तृतीया/बहुव्रीहि-भावार्थे तत्पुरुष (धनरत्नैः आढ्या = rich in wealth and jewels)

• सुगन्धा: fragrant
• सुगन्धा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुगन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (fragrant)

• गन्धायिनी: perfuming; causing fragrance
• गन्धायिनी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्धायिनी (प्रातिपदिक; from √गन्ध्/गन्ध ‘to smell’ denominative sense)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (one who causes fragrance / perfuming)

Speaker

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

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Characters & Entities

• Devi (Shakti)
• Kūṣmāṇḍī

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling the Goddess “inconceivable” and of “unthinkable power,” the verse points to the ultimate reality as transcending mental construction; the divine is realized inwardly as an imprint on the heart (hṛllekhā), not merely as an object of thought.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The emphasis on hṛllekhā suggests inner contemplation (antar-dhyāna): steadying the mind so the divine presence is recognized in the heart. In Ishvara Gita–style teaching, this supports Pashupata-oriented devotion combined with meditative absorption on Shakti as the power of Ishvara.

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

Within the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology, Vishnu (as Kurma) can praise and teach devotion to Shakti, aligning with Shaiva frameworks where Shakti is inseparable from Ishvara—thus presenting a non-sectarian, integrative vision rather than rivalry.