Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 34

Narmadā-māhātmya: Amarakāṇṭaka, Jāleśvara, Kapilā–Viśalyakaraṇī, and the Supreme Purifying Power of Darśana

Devanagari script

नर्मदा सर्वतः पुण्या ब्रह्महत्यापहारिणी / अहोरात्रोपवासेन मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया

Transliteration

narmadā sarvataḥ puṇyā brahmahatyāpahāriṇī / ahorātropavāsena mucyate brahmahatyayā

Translation

The Narmadā is holy in every way and removes the sin of brahmin-slaying. By fasting for a full day and night, one is released from the guilt of brahmin-slaying.

Word by Word

• नर्मदा: Narmadā (river)
• नर्मदा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर्मदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन

• सर्वतः: everywhere, in all respects
• सर्वतः: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) ‘in every way/from all sides’

• पुण्या: holy
• पुण्या: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; qualifying नर्मदा

• ब्रह्महत्या: brahmin-slaying (sin)
• ब्रह्महत्या: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्महत्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; compound-member (पूर्वपद); ‘killing of a brāhmaṇa’

• अपहारिणी: remover (of)
• अपहारिणी: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप-हृ (धातु) + णिनि (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; agent-noun/adjective ‘removing’ qualifying नर्मदा

• अहोरात्र: day-and-night
• अहोरात्र: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् + रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; compound-member (पूर्वपद) meaning ‘day and night’

• उपवासेन: by fasting
• उपवासेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; instrumental; with fasting

• मुच्यते: is released
• मुच्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; passive sense ‘is freed’

• ब्रह्महत्यया: by/with brahmahatyā (sin)
• ब्रह्महत्यया: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्महत्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; instrumental/association; ‘by/with (the sin of) brahmahatyā’ (contextually: even from it)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing sages (tirtha-mahātmya context)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Narmada
• Brahmahatya
• Upavasa

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification (śuddhi) through tirtha and vrata as a dharmic support for inner clarity, which prepares the seeker for knowledge of the Self taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Ahorātra-upavāsa (fasting for a full day and night) is presented as a disciplined observance (vrata/tapas) that supports restraint, purification, and readiness for higher sādhanā such as mantra, japa, and contemplative practice.

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

By focusing on dharma, tirtha, and purification rather than sectarian identity, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance where Vishnu (as Kūrma) teaches practices also valued in Shaiva traditions of tapas and expiation.