Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 154

Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

अहं हि निष्क्रियः शान्तः केवलो निष्परिग्रहः / मामेव केशवं देवमाहुर्देवीमथाम्बिकाम्

Transliteration

ahaṃ hi niṣkriyaḥ śāntaḥ kevalo niṣparigrahaḥ / māmeva keśavaṃ devamāhurdevīmathāmbikām

Translation

Je suis en vérité sans action, paisible, unique (non-duel) et sans attachement à la possession. C’est Moi seul qu’ils nomment Keśava, le Seigneur divin—et de même ils me nomment la Déesse, Ambikā.

Word by Word

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात-अव्यय), emphasis/causal nuance

• niṣkriyaḥ: actionless, inactive
• niṣkriyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣkriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• śāntaḥ: peaceful
• śāntaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kevalaḥ: alone, absolute
• kevalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kevala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• niṣparigrahaḥ: without possessions
• niṣparigrahaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣparigraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• eva: alone, indeed
• eva: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (अवधारण-अव्यय)

• keśavam: Keśava
• keśavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: keśava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); predicate accusative with 'āhuḥ'

• devam: god
• devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to keśavam

• āhuḥ: they call, they say
• āhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); parasmaipada; 'they say/call'

• devīm: goddess
• devīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); predicate accusative (as whom they call)

• atha: then, also
• atha: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/adverb (अनन्तर/प्रसङ्ग-अव्यय): 'then/and also'

• ambikām: Ambikā
• ambikām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to devīm

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu as the Supreme speaking in an Ishvara-like voice)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Keśava
• Devī
• Ambikā

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It describes the Supreme as niṣkriya (beyond action), śānta (peaceful), kevala (non-dual/absolute), and niṣparigraha (free from grasping), indicating an Atman/Ishvara that is untouched by worldly activity and ownership.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to inner disciplines central to Purāṇic Yoga—cultivating śānti (tranquility) and niṣparigraha (non-attachment). These support meditative absorption by loosening identification with action and possession, aligning with Pāśupata-oriented renunciation and steadiness.

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

By asserting one Supreme Reality that can be named Keśava (Vishnu) and also Devī/Ambikā (Śakti), it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative, non-sectarian approach where divine forms and names point to a single transcendent source—often extended in the text to Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony.