Shloka 37

Prākṛta-pralaya, Pratisarga Doctrine, and the Ishvara-Samanvaya of Yoga and Devotion

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मविष्णवग्निवरुणाः सर्वे देवास्तथर्षयः / एकस्यैवाथ रुद्रस्य भेदास्ते परिकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

brahmaviṣṇavagnivaruṇāḥ sarve devāstatharṣayaḥ / ekasyaivātha rudrasya bhedāste parikīrtitāḥ

Translation

Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Agni, Varuṇa—alle Götter und ebenso die ṛṣis—werden als bloß unterschiedliche Erscheinungsformen des einen Rudra verkündet.

Word by Word

• brahma-viṣṇu-agni-varuṇāḥ: Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Agni, and Varuṇa
• brahma-viṣṇu-agni-varuṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + agni (प्रातिपदिक) + varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• devāḥ: gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• tathā: and also
• tathā: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conj./adverb: 'also/and so')

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages
• ṛṣayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ekasya: of one (single)
• ekasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphatic particle)

• atha: then/and
• atha: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conj./particle)

• rudrasya: of Rudra
• rudrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• bhedāḥ: differences/forms
• bhedāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• te: those
• te: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• parikīrtitāḥ: have been proclaimed/described
• parikīrtitāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-kīrt (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्तः क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मणि भावः (having been proclaimed)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching the sages (Ishvara-centered doctrine with Shaiva emphasis)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Agni
• Varuna
• Rishis

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents a single supreme Lord (Rudra/Iśvara) as the underlying unity behind many divine names and functions, implying one reality appearing as multiple forms.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports Iśvara-bhāvanā (contemplation of one Lord) central to Pāśupata-oriented devotion and meditation: seeing all divine powers as expressions of the one Rudra to steady concentration and surrender.

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

It affirms a non-competitive unity: even Viṣṇu is counted among the manifestations, emphasizing a Kurma Purana style synthesis where sectarian names denote one supreme Iśvara.