Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

Meru-Topography: Cities of Brahmā and the Dikpālas; Descent of Gaṅgā; Varṣa-Lotus and Boundary Mountains

Devanagari script

दिव्यकान्तिसमायुक्तं चतुर्धारं सुशोभनम् / महर्षिगणसंकीर्णं ब्रह्मविद्भिर्निषेवितम्

Transliteration

divyakāntisamāyuktaṃ caturdhāraṃ suśobhanam / maharṣigaṇasaṃkīrṇaṃ brahmavidbhirniṣevitam

Translation

Endowed with a divine radiance, splendid to behold, and flowing forth in four streams, it is thronged with hosts of great seers and constantly resorted to by knowers of Brahman.

Word by Word

• दिव्य-कान्ति-समायुक्तम्: endowed with divine radiance
• दिव्य-कान्ति-समायुक्तम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य + कान्ति + सम्+आ+युक्त (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; क्त (past participle) 'समायुक्त'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (आयतनम् विशेषण)

• चतुर्-धारम्: four-streamed/four-doored
• चतुर्-धारम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + धार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगुसमास (चतस्रः धाराः यस्य); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सु-शोभनम्: very beautiful
• सु-शोभनम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + शोभन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपदपूर्वक कर्मधारय (सुशोभन); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• महर्षि-गण-संकीर्णम्: filled with groups of great sages
• महर्षि-गण-संकीर्णम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महर्षि + गण + संकीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; क्त (past participle) 'संकीर्ण'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मविद्भिः: by knowers of Brahman
• ब्रह्मविद्भिः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument; agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मविद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• निषेवितम्: frequented/served
• निषेवितम्: क्रियाविशेषण/विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+सेव् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (आयतनम् विशेषण)

Speaker

Narrator (traditional Purana dialogue context: a sage describing a sacred place within the Kurma Purana’s tirtha/kshetra narration)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Maharshis
• Brahmavids (knowers of Brahman)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By foregrounding “brahmavids” who dwell there, the verse implies that the highest aim of such sacred places is Brahman-realization—knowledge of the Self beyond ritual merit.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is named; the emphasis is on satsanga—association with maharshis and brahmavids—an essential support for dhyana, viveka, and liberation-oriented practice in the Kurma Purana’s broader teaching.

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

It does not name Shiva or Vishnu directly; it reflects the Purana’s integrative spirit by centering Brahman-knowledge and sage-tradition as the shared spiritual ground across Shaiva and Vaishnava paths.