Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37

Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa (Genealogy) culminating in Rāma; Setu-liṅga Māhātmya; Continuation through Kuśa and Lava

Devanagari script

महीं सागरपर्यन्तां सीतादर्शनतत्परः / जगाम रावणपुरीं लङ्कां सागरसंस्थिताम्

Transliteration

mahīṃ sāgaraparyantāṃ sītādarśanatatparaḥ / jagāma rāvaṇapurīṃ laṅkāṃ sāgarasaṃsthitām

Translation

Auf Sītās Anblick bedacht, durchmaß er die Erde bis an den Rand des Ozeans und gelangte nach Laṅkā, der Stadt Rāvaṇas, die mitten im Meer gelegen ist.

Word by Word

• महीम्: the earth/land
• महीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• सागरपर्यन्ताम्: ending at the ocean/ocean-bounded
• सागरपर्यन्ताम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāgara + paryanta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (sāgaraḥ paryantaḥ yasyāḥ) विशेषणम्—महीम्

• सीतादर्शनतत्परः: intent on seeing Sītā
• सीतादर्शनतत्परः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sītā + darśana + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सीतायाः दर्शनम्—तस्मिन् तत्परः) विशेषणम्—(सः)

• जगाम: went
• जगाम: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• रावणपुरीम्: Rāvaṇa’s city
• रावणपुरीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa + purī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (rāvaṇasya purī)

• लङ्काम्: Laṅkā
• लङ्काम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laṅkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; रावणपुरीम् इत्यस्य समानाधिकरणम् (apposition)

• सागरसंस्थिताम्: situated in/on the ocean
• सागरसंस्थिताम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāgara + saṃsthita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used adjectivally); तत्पुरुष (sāgare saṃsthitā) विशेषणम्—लङ्काम्

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) recounting the episode to the sages (frame narration of the Kurma Purana)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Ravana
• Lanka
• Ocean (Samudra)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

This verse is primarily narrative (Rāma’s purposeful movement toward Laṅkā) and does not directly define Ātman; indirectly, it highlights one-pointed intention (tatparatā), a trait later emphasized in Kurma Purana teachings as supportive of inner realization.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No explicit yoga technique is stated, but the phrase “sītā-darśana-tatparaḥ” models ekāgratā (single-pointed focus), a foundational discipline that aligns with the Kurma Purana’s broader yogic ethos (including later discussions associated with Pāśupata-oriented practice and devotion).

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

The verse itself does not mention Śiva-Viṣṇu unity; it situates a dharmic-itihāsa episode within the Purāṇic frame, which the Kurma Purana elsewhere uses to harmonize devotion and dharma across Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava strands.