Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 171

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

Devanagari script

अष्टादशभुजानाद्या नीलोत्पलदलप्रभा / सर्वशक्त्यासनारूढा धर्माधर्मार्थवर्जिता

Transliteration

aṣṭādaśabhujānādyā nīlotpaladalaprabhā / sarvaśaktyāsanārūḍhā dharmādharmārthavarjitā

Translation

Primordiale, aux dix-huit bras, rayonnante comme le pétale du lotus bleu, elle siège sur le trône de toutes les śakti ; elle transcende dharma et adharma, et demeure intacte, hors des visées et calculs du monde.

Word by Word

• aṣṭādaśa-bhujā-anādyā: she who is beginningless and has eighteen arms
• aṣṭādaśa-bhujā-anādyā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭādaśa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक) + anādyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (aṣṭādaśānāṃ bhujānāṃ …) + विशेषणम्

• nīla-utpala-dala-prabhā: having the radiance of a blue-lotus petal
• nīla-utpala-dala-prabhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक) + utpala (प्रातिपदिक) + dala (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (नीलोत्पलस्य दलस्य प्रभा यस्याः)

• sarva-śakti-āsana-ārūḍhā: seated upon the seat of all powers
• sarva-śakti-āsana-ārūḍhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक) + ārūḍha (कृदन्त; √ruh आरोहणे)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; कृदन्तः—भूतकृदन्त/क्त (PPP) ‘ārūḍha’; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सर्वशक्तीनाम् आसनम्)

• dharma-adharma-artha-varjitā: free from (the triad of) dharma, adharma, and worldly aims
• dharma-adharma-artha-varjitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + adharma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक) + varjita (कृदन्त; √vṛj/varj त्यागे)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; कृदन्तः—भूतकृदन्त/क्त (PPP) ‘varjita’; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (धर्माधर्मार्थैः वर्जिता)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna in the Ishvara Gita context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devi (Para-Shakti)
• Sarva-Shakti (all powers)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing the supreme Reality as beyond dharma/adharma and worldly artha, the verse points to an absolute principle that transcends moral polarity and karmic calculation—indicative of the Atman/Brahman level that is untouched by action and its fruits.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports a contemplative (dhyana) approach central to Pashupata-oriented teaching: meditate on the Devi/Para-Shakti as the source-seat of all powers, while recognizing her transcendence beyond merit, demerit, and worldly aims—cultivating vairagya (dispassion) and samadarshana (equanimity).

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

In the Ishvara Gita’s synthesis, the supreme principle is presented as Para-Shakti beyond dualities; this supports the Purana’s non-sectarian frame where Shaiva and Vaishnava theologies converge in a single transcendent Reality manifesting as power (shakti) and lordship (ishvara).