Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

Sapta-dvīpa Cosmography and the Vision of Śvetadvīpa–Vaikuṇṭha

Devanagari script

नित्यपुष्टा निरातङ्का नित्यानन्दाश्च भोगिनः / नारायणपराः सर्वे नारायणपरायणाः

Transliteration

nityapuṣṭā nirātaṅkā nityānandāśca bhoginaḥ / nārāyaṇaparāḥ sarve nārāyaṇaparāyaṇāḥ

Translation

Ever nourished, free from fear and affliction, and ever rejoicing—such are those who enjoy true well-being. All of them are devoted to Nārāyaṇa as their highest goal, wholly taking refuge in Nārāyaṇa alone.

Word by Word

• नित्यपुष्टाः: ever well-nourished
• नित्यपुष्टाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य-पुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक; √पुष् धातु-निष्पन्न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (नित्यं पुष्टाः)

• निरातङ्काः: free from fear/affliction
• निरातङ्काः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्-आतङ्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; नञ्/निर्-प्रयोगेन ‘आतङ्क-रहित’

• नित्यानन्दाः: ever joyful
• नित्यानन्दाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य-आनन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (नित्यः आनन्दः येषाम्/नित्य-आनन्द)

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

• भोगिनः: enjoyers
• भोगिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘भोगं कुर्वन्ति’

• नारायणपराः: having Nārāyaṇa as the highest
• नारायणपराः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण-पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (नारायणः परः/परं लक्ष्यं येषाम्)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (भोगिनः/जनाः)

• नारायणपरायणाः: wholly devoted to Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणपरायणाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण-परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (नारायणः परायणं येषाम्)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s teaching on the fruit of Narayana-paratva)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narayana

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing fearlessness, constant nourishment, and unbroken bliss as the devotee’s state when centered on Nārāyaṇa, the verse implies that lasting ānanda and security come from alignment with the Supreme reality rather than from transient worldly supports.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes nārāyaṇa-paratva—single-pointed orientation and refuge in the Lord—which functions as bhakti-yoga and dhyāna: steady remembrance, inner surrender, and unwavering goal-fixation that culminate in fearlessness and stable joy.

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

While naming Nārāyaṇa explicitly, the Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis treats such supreme devotion as compatible with the Shaiva-Vaishnava unity theme: the highest refuge is one Divine Lord, approached through integrated devotion, dharma, and yoga.