Shloka 22

Meru-Topography: Cities of Brahmā and the Dikpālas; Descent of Gaṅgā; Varṣa-Lotus and Boundary Mountains

Devanagari script

अप्सरोगणगन्धर्वैः सेव्यमानो ऽमरप्रभुः / प्राणायामपरामर्त्यास्थानन्तद्यान्ति शाश्वतम्

Transliteration

apsarogaṇagandharvaiḥ sevyamāno 'maraprabhuḥ / prāṇāyāmaparāmartyāsthānantadyānti śāśvatam

Translation

Von Scharen der Apsarās und Gandharvas bedient, weilt dort der Herr der Unsterblichen; die Sterblichen, die dem Prāṇāyāma hingegeben sind, gelangen zu jener ewigen Stätte.

Word by Word

• apsaraḥ-gaṇa-gandharvaiḥ: by the groups of apsarases and gandharvas
• apsaraḥ-gaṇa-gandharvaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apsaras (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमासः (अप्सरोगणाश्च गन्धर्वाश्च); तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• sevyamānaḥ: being served
• sevyamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sev (सेव् धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्तः (Present passive participle); प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• amara-prabhuḥ: lord of the immortals
• amara-prabhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amara (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (अमराणां प्रभुः); प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• prāṇāyāma-parāḥ: devoted to breath-control
• prāṇāyāma-parāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāṇāyāma (प्रातिपदिक) + para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमासः (प्राणायामे पराः/निरताः); प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• martya-sthānam: the abode of mortals
• martya-sthānam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: martya (प्रातिपदिक) + sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमासः (मर्त्यानां स्थानम्); द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) — ‘तत्’ = that (place)

• yānti: go, attain
• yānti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (या धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपदम्

• śāśvatam: eternal
• śāśvatam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śāśvata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) — क्रियाविशेषणवत्/विशेषणम् (tat)

Speaker

Traditional narrative voice (Purāṇic narrator, as transmitted by Vyāsa’s discourse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Apsaras
• Gandharvas
• Amaraprabhu (Lord of the Devas)
• Pranayama

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By praising prāṇāyāma as leading to an “eternal station,” the verse points to a yogic ascent beyond mortal limitation—consistent with the Purāṇic view that disciplined inner practice culminates in an imperishable state aligned with the highest reality.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Prāṇāyāma (regulated breath-discipline) is highlighted as a central sādhanā: sustained absorption in breath-control is presented as a direct means to attain a lasting spiritual abode/state, echoing Yoga-śāstra emphases found across the Kurma Purana’s yogic instructions.

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

While not naming Śiva or Viṣṇu explicitly, the verse reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative yoga-ethos: yogic practice (often framed within Pāśupata/Īśvara devotion elsewhere) is treated as universally salvific, harmonizing sectarian paths through shared discipline and attainment.