Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 136

Devī-tattva, Śakti–Śaktimān doctrine, Kāla–Māyā cosmology, and Māheśvara Yoga instruction

Devanagari script

चन्द्रहस्ता विचित्राङ्गी स्त्रग्विणी पद्मधारिणी / परावरविधानज्ञा महापुरुषपूर्वजा

Transliteration

candrahastā vicitrāṅgī stragviṇī padmadhāriṇī / parāvaravidhānajñā mahāpuruṣapūrvajā

Translation

Sa main porte le croissant de lune; sa forme est merveilleuse; elle est parée de guirlandes et tient un lotus. Elle connaît les ordonnances du haut et du bas, et elle est la Puissance primordiale qui précède le Mahāpuruṣa, la Personne suprême.

Word by Word

• चन्द्रहस्ता: she whose hand(s) are like the moon
• चन्द्रहस्ता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्र + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (चन्द्र इव हस्तौ यस्याः/हस्तः)

• विचित्राङ्गी: having wondrous limbs
• विचित्राङ्गी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र + अङ्गिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (विचित्राणि अङ्गानि यस्याः)

• स्त्रग्विणी: garlanded
• स्त्रग्विणी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्त्रज्/स्रज् + विनिन्-प्रत्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विनिन्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम् (garland-possessing)

• पद्मधारिणी: lotus-bearing
• पद्मधारिणी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + धारिणी (धृ धातु + णिनि/इनी, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (पद्मं धारयती)

• परावरविधानज्ञा: knower of the ordinances of higher and lower (realms)
• परावरविधानज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर + अवर + विधान + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समासः (परावरयोः विधानं जानाती)

• महापुरुषपूर्वजा: born before the Great Person / primeval relative of the Mahāpuruṣa
• महापुरुषपूर्वजा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महापुरुष + पूर्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (महापुरुषस्य पूर्वजा)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing the sages/Indradyumna within the Ishvara Gita framework (Upari-bhaga 1–11).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Mahāpuruṣa
• Padma (lotus)
• Candra (moon)
• Devī/Śakti (implied)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing a primordial principle that knows both the transcendent (para) and immanent (apara) orders, the verse points to a reality that comprehends and governs both levels—suggesting an all-encompassing, pre-manifest ground that supports the Supreme Person’s manifestation.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

While not prescribing a technique directly, the verse supports Ishvara-Gita style contemplation: meditate on the Divine as simultaneously transcendent and immanent (para–apara), a key orientation behind Pāśupata-informed devotion and inner absorption (dhyāna) in the Kurma Purana.

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

By presenting a single primordial Power (Śakti) tied to cosmic order and the Supreme Person, the verse aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: Śiva–Viṣṇu are understood through a unified divine principle expressed in different theological registers.