Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48

Sūrya-vaṃśa Genealogy and the Supremacy of Tapas: Gāyatrī-Japa, Rudra-Darśana, and Śatarudrīya Upadeśa

Devanagari script

हिमवच्छिखरे रम्ये देवदारुवने शुभे / कन्दमूलफलाहारो मुन्यन्नैरयजत् सुरान्

Transliteration

himavacchikhare ramye devadāruvane śubhe / kandamūlaphalāhāro munyannairayajat surān

Translation

Auf einem lieblichen Gipfel des Himalaya, in einem glückverheißenden Deodarwald, lebte der Muni von Wurzeln, Knollen und Früchten und verehrte die Götter mit der schlichten Speise der Asketen.

Word by Word

• himavat-śikhare: on the peak of Himavat
• himavat-śikhare: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: himavat (प्रातिपदिक) + śikhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘on the peak of Himavat’ (हिमवतः शिखरे)

• ramye: beautiful
• ramye: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ramya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; agrees with śikhare

• deva-dāru-vane: in the deodar forest
• deva-dāru-vane: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva-dāru (प्रातिपदिक) + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘in the deodar-forest’ (देवदारूणां वनम्)

• śubhe: auspicious
• śubhe: Visheshana (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; agrees with vane

• kanda-mūla-phala-āhāraḥ: one who lived on bulbs, roots, and fruits
• kanda-mūla-phala-āhāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanda (प्रातिपदिक) + mūla (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + āhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘one whose food is bulbs, roots, and fruits’ (कन्दमूलफलानि आहारः यस्य)

• muni-annaiḥ: with ascetic food
• muni-annaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक) + anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; Tatpuruṣa: ‘with sages’ food’ i.e., forest fare (मुनेः अन्नैः)

• ayajat: worshipped/sacrificed to
• ayajat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yaj (धातु)
• Form: Verb; Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

• surān: the gods
• surān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the setting and conduct of the sage)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Himavat (Himalaya)
• Devadāru-vana (deodar forest)
• Suras (Devas)
• Muni (sage/ascetic)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames spiritual life through tapas and disciplined simplicity—conditions traditionally held to purify the mind for realizing the Self beyond ritual and place.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes ascetic discipline (niyama-like restraint) through a regulated diet (kandamūla-phala) and worship (yajana), supporting steadiness of mind that undergirds yogic practice in Purāṇic teaching.

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

By focusing on orthodox worship and ascetic purity rather than sectarian markers, it fits the Kurma Purana’s integrative tone where devotion and discipline are shared foundations across Shaiva–Vaishnava practice.