Kurma Purana
कूर्मपुराण
The Revelation of the Divine Tortoise
Vishnu in his Kurma avatara reveals sacred wisdom to the sages -- from the churning of the cosmic ocean to the Ishvara Gita and the unity of all divine forms.
Start ReadingAbout This Book
The Kurma Purana is one of the eighteen Mahapuranas, narrated by Vishnu in his Kurma (tortoise) avatara to the assembled sages. It uniquely bridges Vaishnava and Shaiva traditions, presenting the theological unity of Vishnu and Shiva. The text contains the celebrated Ishvara Gita, detailed Pasupata philosophy, the story of Samudra Manthana, dharma instructions, tirtha-mahatmyas, and the path to liberation through devotion and knowledge.
How This Book Is Organised
The Kurma Purana is divided into two parts spanning 97 chapters and 5,842 verses.
Bhagas
Two parts of the text
Adhyayas
Chapters within each Bhaga
Shlokas
Verses read one by one
Available Reading Features
This edition of the Kurma Purana on Vedapath includes:
Original Sanskrit verses (Devanagari)
Transliteration for guided reading
Word-by-word meanings
Clear, faithful translations
Theological, philosophical, and pilgrimage enrichments
Bhagas of the Kurma Purana
The Kurma Purana is traditionally divided into two Bhagas (parts).
Each Bhaga covers distinct domains of cosmology, theology, and spiritual instruction.
Pūrva-bhāga: Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, and the Kurma–Indradyumna Upadeśa (Samanvaya of Hari–Hara–Śrī)
The First Part
Covers cosmogony, the Samudra Manthana (churning of the ocean), the Kurma avatara, Manvantara cycles, Shiva-Vishnu theology, and detailed instructions on dharma, vratas, and pilgrimage.
Uttara-bhāga: Entry into Liberating Knowledge (Brahma-vidyā) and Śiva–Viṣṇu Samanvaya
The Second Part
Focuses on Shiva-centric theology, the Ishvara Gita (Shiva's discourse on yoga and liberation), detailed cosmography, the nature of Brahman, and the path to moksha.