Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

Madhu–Kaiṭabha, Nārāyaṇa’s Yoga-Nidrā, Rudra’s Manifestation, and the Aṣṭamūrti–Trimūrti Teaching

Devanagari script

ज्ञात्वा परतरं भावमैश्वरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा / तुष्टाव जगतामेकं कृत्वा शिरसि चाञ्जलिम्

Transliteration

jñātvā parataraṃ bhāvamaiśvaraṃ jñānacakṣuṣā / tuṣṭāva jagatāmekaṃ kṛtvā śirasi cāñjalim

Translation

Having perceived, with the eye of spiritual knowledge, the Lord’s transcendent, sovereign state, he praised the One Lord of the worlds, setting his joined palms upon his head in reverence.

Word by Word

• ज्ञात्वा: having known
• ज्ञात्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘ज्ञात्वा’ (having known)

• परतरम्: higher/superior
• परतरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (भावम्)

• भावम्: state/nature
• भावम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ऐश्वरम्: lordly/divine
• ऐश्वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऐश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (भावम्)

• ज्ञानचक्षुषा: with the eye of knowledge
• ज्ञानचक्षुषा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान + चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ज्ञानस्य चक्षुः)

• तुष्टाव: praised
• तुष्टाव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्तु (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; रूपम्—तुष्टाव (he praised)

• जगताम्: of the worlds
• जगताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• एकम्: the one (sole)
• एकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (तम्/देवम्—understood)

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘कृत्वा’ (having made/done)

• शिरसि: on the head
• शिरसि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अञ्जलिम्: folded hands (añjali)
• अञ्जलिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing Indradyumna’s response after receiving Ishvara-jnana from Lord Kurma

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Ishvara
• The One Lord (Eka)
• Jñāna-cakṣus (inner eye of knowledge)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It points to realization through inner knowledge (jñāna-cakṣus): the Supreme is apprehended as a transcendent, lordly reality (aiśvara bhāva) and as the One (eka) beyond multiplicity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights jñāna-yoga (inner vision/insight) integrated with bhakti: realization culminates in reverent worship (añjali on the head), a hallmark of the Kurma Purana’s Pāśupata-leaning discipline where knowledge matures into devotion.

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

By praising the One Lord of all worlds (jagatām eka), it supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the supreme Īśvara is one, approached through shared yogic knowledge and devotional reverence, whether named as Shiva or Vishnu.