Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 141

Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

प्रणामप्रवणं देवं सो ऽनुगृह्याथ नन्दिनम् / आघ्राय मूर्धनीशानः केशवं परिषस्वजे

Transliteration

praṇāmapravaṇaṃ devaṃ so 'nugṛhyātha nandinam / āghrāya mūrdhanīśānaḥ keśavaṃ pariṣasvaje

Translation

Then Īśāna (Śiva), having shown grace to Nandin, embraced Keśava (Viṣṇu)—that god ever inclined to offer salutations—after kissing and breathing in the fragrance upon the crown of his head.

Word by Word

• प्रणाम-प्रवणम्: inclined to salutation
• प्रणाम-प्रवणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रणाम (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective)

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• अनुगृह्य: having blessed
• अनुगृह्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु√ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having favored/blessed’

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अनन्तरार्थक अव्यय (particle: then/now)

• नन्दिनम्: Nandin
• नन्दिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आघ्राय: having smelled
• आघ्राय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√घ्रा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having smelled’

• मूर्धनि: on the head
• मूर्धनि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• ईशानः: Īśāna (Śiva)
• ईशानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• केशवम्: Keśava (Viṣṇu)
• केशवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केशव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• परिषस्वजे: embraced
• परिषस्वजे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि√स्वज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration describing the action of Śiva/Īśāna toward Viṣṇu/Keśava, in the presence of Nandin)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Īśāna (Śiva)
• Keśava (Viṣṇu)
• Nandin

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By portraying affectionate reverence between Īśāna (Śiva) and Keśava (Viṣṇu), the verse supports the Purāṇic non-sectarian vision: the one Supreme Reality is honored through multiple divine forms, indicating unity behind apparent distinction.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds praṇāma (reverential surrender) as a foundational bhakti-aṅga that purifies the mind—an attitude consistent with Pāśupata-leaning discipline in the Kūrma tradition, where humility and devotion prepare one for higher yogic steadiness.

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

It depicts intimate concord: Śiva (Īśāna) graciously embraces Viṣṇu (Keśava), signaling Hari-Hara harmony and the Kūrma Purāṇa’s synthesis of Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava theologies rather than rivalry.