Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 163

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

Devanagari script

शुम्भारिः खेचरीस्वस्था कम्बुग्रीवा कलिप्रिया / खगध्वजी खगारूढा परार्घ्या परमालिनी

Transliteration

śumbhāriḥ khecarīsvasthā kambugrīvā kalipriyā / khagadhvajī khagārūḍhā parārghyā paramālinī

Translation

O Göttin, du bist die Bezwingerin Śumbhas; stets unbeschwert in den Himmelsregionen, durchziehst du den Luftraum. Mit muschelgleichem Hals bist du selbst im Kali-Zeitalter geliebt. Das Vogelbanner tragend und auf dem Vogel (Garuḍa) reitend, bist du höchst verehrungswürdig und mit den erhabensten Kränzen geschmückt.

Word by Word

• शुम्भ-अरिः: enemy of Śumbha
• शुम्भ-अरिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + अरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (enemy of Śumbha)

• खेचरी-स्वस्था: sky-roaming and self-abiding
• खेचरी-स्वस्था: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खेचरी (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वस्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (the sky-moving one who is self-abiding/at ease)

• कम्बु-ग्रीवा: conch-necked
• कम्बु-ग्रीवा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु (प्रातिपदिक) + ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (conch-like neck)

• कलि-प्रिया: dear to Kali
• कलि-प्रिया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (dear to Kali / fond of Kali-age)

• खग-ध्वजी: she whose banner is a bird
• खग-ध्वजी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (having a bird as banner)

• खग-आरूढा: mounted on a bird
• खग-आरूढा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक) + आरूढ (कृदन्त, √रुह्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त ‘आरूढ’ + तत्पुरुषः (mounted on a bird)

• पर-अर्घ्या: most worthy of offering
• पर-अर्घ्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (supremely worthy of offering/valuable)

• परम-आलिनी: supremely garlanded one
• परम-आलिनी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + आलिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (supreme garlanded one / having supreme garlands)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) — Ishvara Gita context (self-revelatory praise through divine epithets)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Śumbha
• Kali-yuga
• Garuḍa

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By presenting the Supreme through many epithets—cosmic (sky-moving), mythic (Śumbha-slayer), and devotional (most worthy of worship)—the verse points to one Reality approached through diverse names and forms, consistent with the Ishvara Gita’s integrative (non-sectarian) vision.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

This verse functions as nāma-smaraṇa (contemplation of divine names): meditating on attributes like “parārghyā” (supremely worship-worthy) and “khagārūḍhā” steadies devotion (bhakti) and supports one-pointedness (ekāgratā), a practical aid aligned with the Kurma Purana’s Yoga-oriented teaching.

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

While the imagery is Vaishnava (Garuḍa-banner and mount), the Ishvara Gita’s broader thrust is synthesis: the Supreme is praised through whichever traditional form best awakens realization, supporting the Purana’s non-dual, Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony.