Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching

Iśvara-Gītā Prelude

Devanagari script

यत्र धर्मार्थकामानां मोक्षस्य च मुनीश्वराः / माहात्म्यमखिलं ब्रह्म ज्ञायते परमेश्वरः

Transliteration

yatra dharmārthakāmānāṃ mokṣasya ca munīśvarāḥ / māhātmyamakhilaṃ brahma jñāyate parameśvaraḥ

Translation

Therein, O lordly sages, the complete greatness of Brahman is made known—Brahman who is the Supreme Lord—together with the teachings on dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa.

Word by Word

• yatra: where
• yatra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण/Where)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Relative adverb (सम्बन्धबोधक अव्यय)

• dharma-artha-kāmānām: of dharma, artha, and kāma
• dharma-artha-kāmānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana; itaretara-dvandva of three; genitive plural

• mokṣasya: of mokṣa
• mokṣasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• munīśvarāḥ: O lords of sages
• munīśvarāḥ: Sambodhana/Addressed (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: 'munīnām īśvarāḥ' (lords among sages)

• māhātmyam: greatness/glory
• māhātmyam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māhātmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; subject of passive verb 'jñāyate'

• akhilam: entire
• akhilam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: akhila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; adjective qualifying 'māhātmyam'

• brahma: Brahman/the Absolute
• brahma: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; in apposition to 'māhātmyam' (glory of Brahman)

• jñāyate: is known/understood
• jñāyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; Ātmanepada; passive sense 'is known'

• parameśvaraḥ: the Supreme Lord
• parameśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: 'paramaḥ īśvaraḥ'

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) addressing the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahman
• Parameśvara
• Munis (sages)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames the highest reality as Brahman who is also Parameśvara, indicating that liberation (mokṣa) comes through knowing the Absolute as the Supreme Lord, not merely as an abstract principle.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

This verse is programmatic rather than procedural: it points to jñāna (right knowledge of Brahman/Īśvara) as the core means tied to mokṣa, with the Kurma Purana later elaborating discipline and devotion-oriented practice (including Pāśupata-Yoga themes).

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

By identifying Brahman with Parameśvara, it supports the Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the Supreme is one reality approached through Īśvara-language that can harmonize Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava devotion in later sections.