Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 39

Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rudra’s Samanvaya Teaching

Maṅkaṇaka Episode

Devanagari script

तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविख्यातं ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः / पुष्करं सर्वपापघ्नं मृतानां ब्रह्मलोकदम्

Transliteration

tīrthaṃ trailokyavikhyātaṃ brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ / puṣkaraṃ sarvapāpaghnaṃ mṛtānāṃ brahmalokadam

Translation

Puṣkara is the sacred tīrtha renowned throughout the three worlds, belonging to Brahmā Paramēṣṭhin, the Supreme Lord of beings. It destroys all sins, and for those who die there it grants attainment of Brahmaloka.

Word by Word

• तीर्थम्: pilgrimage-place
• तीर्थम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• त्रैलोक्यविख्यातम्: renowned in the three worlds
• त्रैलोक्यविख्यातम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रैलोक्य + विख्यात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः/अधिकरण-तत्पुरुषः (त्रैलोक्ये विख्यातम्)

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• परमेष्ठिनः: of the Supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin; epithet of Brahmā)
• परमेष्ठिनः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेष्ठिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ब्रह्मणः विशेषण-रूपेण

• पुष्करम्: Puṣkara (name of the tīrtha)
• पुष्करम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तीर्थस्य नाम

• सर्वपापघ्नम्: destroyer of all sins
• सर्वपापघ्नम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + पाप + घ्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां पापानां घ्नम्)

• मृतानाम्: of the dead
• मृतानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत (प्रातिपदिक; √मृ धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘the dead’ (genitive plural)

• ब्रह्मलोकदम्: granting Brahma-loka
• ब्रह्मलोकदम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मलोक + द (प्रातिपदिक; √दा धातोः)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वितीया-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मलोकं ददाति इति)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing sages/Indradyumna context on tīrtha-māhātmya

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Parameshthin
• Pushkara
• Brahmaloka

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames purification (sarva-pāpa-ghna) and higher attainment (Brahmaloka) as results of dharmic contact with a sacred locus, implying that inner elevation is supported by outer means (tīrtha) when aligned with scriptural order.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific yogic technique is named; the verse emphasizes tīrtha-sevā as a purificatory discipline—an auxiliary to sādhana—supporting mental clarity and merit, which in Kurma Purana complements vrata, japa, and higher contemplative paths.

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

This verse is primarily Brahmā-centered (Pushkara as Brahmā’s tīrtha), but within the Kurma Purana’s synthesis it fits the broader Purāṇic vision where Vishnu (as Kurma) teaches a dharma that honors multiple deities and sacred centers as harmonized supports for liberation-oriented life.