Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 182

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

Devanagari script

कामुकी ललिता भावा परापरविभूतिदा / परान्तजातमहिमा बडवा वामलोचना

Transliteration

kāmukī lalitā bhāvā parāparavibhūtidā / parāntajātamahimā baḍavā vāmalocanā

Translation

Elle est enchanteresse et joueuse, le sol même de tous les états de l’être ; elle accorde les puissances transcendantes comme les pouvoirs du monde. Sa grandeur naît du Suprême au-delà de tout ; elle est l’énergie Baḍavā, feu souterrain, et la belle aux yeux qui regardent de biais avec grâce.

Word by Word

• kāmukī: desirous; amorous
• kāmukī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāmukī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• lalitā: graceful; playful
• lalitā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lalitā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• bhāvā: existence; feeling; nature
• bhāvā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (fem. form used as epithet)

• parā-para-vibhūti-dā: giver of higher and lower powers
• parā-para-vibhūti-dā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parā (प्रातिपदिक) + apara (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhūti (प्रातिपदिक) + dā (धातु) → dā (प्रातिपदिक/कर्तृवाचक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘परापरयोः विभूतीः ददाति’ (giver of higher and lower powers)

• parānta-jāta-mahimā: whose greatness arises at the far limit
• parānta-jāta-mahimā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parānta (प्रातिपदिक) + jāta (कृदन्त, √jan) + mahimā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘परान्ते जातः महिमा यस्याः’ (majesty arisen at the far end/limit)

• baḍavā: Baḍavā (mare/fiery submarine form)
• baḍavā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: baḍavā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम/विशेषण

• vāma-locanā: lovely-eyed
• vāma-locanā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक) + locanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘वामे लोचने यस्याः/या’ (having lovely/left eyes)

Speaker

A sage/narrator within a Devī-stuti section (hymn-style praise in the Kurma Purana narrative frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Devi (Shakti)
• Vadava (Baḍavāgni-śakti)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling her the giver of both para (transcendent) and apara (worldly) vibhūtis and saying her glory arises from the Supreme Beyond, the verse points to an ultimate source that is higher than all manifested states—suggesting the Absolute from which power and experience proceed.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse is stuti-oriented rather than instructional, but it supports a Yogic framework: contemplation of Shakti as the source of both siddhi-like powers (apara vibhūti) and liberating realization (para vibhūti), encouraging discernment so worldly attainments do not replace the highest aim.

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

By presenting a single supreme Shakti who grants both higher and lower powers, the verse aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology: the one divine reality is approached through multiple forms and names, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava devotion within a non-sectarian Purāṇic vision.