Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 174

Devī-tattva, Śakti–Śaktimān doctrine, Kāla–Māyā cosmology, and Māheśvara Yoga instruction

Devanagari script

अवर्ण वर्णरहिता निवर्णा बीजसंभवा / अनन्तवर्णानन्यस्था शङ्करी शान्तमानसा

Transliteration

avarṇa varṇarahitā nivarṇā bījasaṃbhavā / anantavarṇānanyasthā śaṅkarī śāntamānasā

Translation

She is beyond all classification, devoid of limiting attributes; yet she is the source of the primordial seed. Though manifesting in infinite forms and colors, she remains established in the One alone—Śaṅkarī, whose very mind is perfect peace.

Word by Word

• avarṇā: without color/attribute
• avarṇā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; नञ्-समासार्थः—‘without’

• varṇa-rahitā: devoid of color
• varṇa-rahitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + rahita (कृदन्त; √rah त्यागे/वियोगे, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; कृदन्तः—‘rahita’ (PPP ‘devoid of’); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वर्णेन रहिता)

• nivarṇā: colorless; beyond qualities
• nivarṇā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niḥ-/nir- (उपसर्ग) + varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; निर्-प्रत्ययार्थः—‘without’

• bīja-saṃbhavā: born from the seed; seed-origin
• bīja-saṃbhavā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bīja (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃbhavā (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-भाव; √bhū भवने, सम्+भव)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (बीजात् सम्भवा/सम्भवः यस्याः)

• ananta-varṇā-ananya-sthā: of infinite colors, abiding in none other (alone)
• ananta-varṇā-ananya-sthā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ananta (प्रातिपदिक) + varṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ananya (प्रातिपदिक) + sthā (प्रातिपदिक; √sthā स्थाने)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अनन्ता वर्णाः यस्याः; अनन्ये स्थिता)

• śaṅkarī: Śaṅkarī (consort/power of Śaṅkara)
• śaṅkarī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; शिवपत्नी/शिवशक्तिः

• śānta-mānasā: whose mind is tranquil
• śānta-mānasā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (कृदन्त; √śam उपशमे, क्त) + mānasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; कृदन्तः—‘śānta’ (PPP ‘calmed’); समासः—कर्मधारयः (शान्तं मानसं यस्याः)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing in the Īśvara-gītā context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Kūrma (Vishnu)
• Śaṅkarī (Śakti)
• Śiva (Śaṅkara)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing Śaṅkarī as beyond all limiting attributes yet the source of manifestation, the verse points to the non-dual Reality: the Absolute is nirguṇa in essence while appearing as the many through its own power.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The emphasis is on contemplative discernment (viveka) used in Pāśupata-oriented meditation: one steadies the mind in peace (śānta-mānasā) and realizes the One Reality behind infinite appearances.

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

Spoken within the Kurma Purana’s Īśvara-gītā framework, it presents Śaṅkarī (Śiva’s power) as the same supreme principle taught by Lord Kūrma—supporting the Purāṇa’s synthesis where Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava theologies converge in non-dual truth.