Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 49

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

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

संचिन्त्य मनसा देवः सर्वज्ञानमयो ऽमलः / नरस्यार्धतनुं कृत्वा सिंहस्यार्धतनुं तथा

Transliteration

saṃcintya manasā devaḥ sarvajñānamayo 'malaḥ / narasyārdhatanuṃ kṛtvā siṃhasyārdhatanuṃ tathā

Translation

Après avoir médité en son esprit, la Divinité sans tache—dont la nature même est l’omniscience—façonna la moitié de son corps en homme, et l’autre moitié en lion.

Word by Word

• saṃcintya: having contemplated
• saṃcintya: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam+cint (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), from √चिन्त् with prefix सम्-; ‘having reflected’

• manasā: with (his) mind
• manasā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• devaḥ: the god (Lord)
• devaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• sarvajñānamayaḥ: consisting of all knowledge/omniscient
• sarvajñānamayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva+jñāna+maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine, Nominative, Singular; compound: तत्पुरुष (सर्वं ज्ञानं यस्य/येन मयः)

• amalaḥ: stainless/pure
• amalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• narasya: of a man
• narasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• ardha-tanum: half-body
• ardha-tanum: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ardha+tanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; compound: तत्पुरुष (अर्धा तनुः)

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त) from √कृ; ‘having made’

• siṃhasya: of a lion
• siṃhasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• ardha-tanum: half-body
• ardha-tanum: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ardha+tanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; compound: तत्पुरुष (अर्धा तनुः)

• tathā: likewise/also
• tathā: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (तथा)

Speaker

Purāṇic narrator (Sūta/compilers’ narrative voice) describing the Lord’s manifestation

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Deva
• Narasimha
• Nara
• Siṃha

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as amala (undefiled) and sarvajñānamaya (omniscient by nature), indicating a transcendent consciousness that can assume forms without being tainted by them.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The key term saṃcintya (“having contemplated”) points to inward resolve (saṅkalpa) and mastery of mind—an archetype for yogic concentration where manifestation follows from perfected inner awareness.

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

By emphasizing a single stainless, omniscient Deity who freely manifests for protection, the verse supports the Purana’s synthetic theology: the one Supreme (revered as Vishnu or Shiva in different frames) operates with the same transcendence and power.