Shloka 24

Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti

Devanagari script

ससर्ज ब्राह्मणान् वक्त्रात् क्षत्रियांश्च भुजाद् विभुः / वैश्यानूरुद्वयाद् देवः पादार्छूद्रान् पितामहः

Transliteration

sasarja brāhmaṇān vaktrāt kṣatriyāṃśca bhujād vibhuḥ / vaiśyānūrudvayād devaḥ pādārchūdrān pitāmahaḥ

Translation

Le Seigneur tout-puissant fit naître les Brāhmaṇas de Sa bouche ; les Kṣatriyas de Ses bras ; les Vaiśyas de Ses deux cuisses ; et de Ses pieds, les Śūdras. Ainsi le Grand-Père (le Créateur) manifesta les quatre ordres.

Word by Word

• sasarja: Created
• sasarja: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sṛj (धातु)
• Form: Perfect Tense (Lit/लिट्), 3rd Person (Prathama), Singular

• brāhmaṇān: Brahmins
• brāhmaṇān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• vaktrāt: From the mouth
• vaktrāt: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaktra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• kṣatriyān: Kshatriyas
• kṣatriyān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣatriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• ca: And
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• bhujāt: From the arm
• bhujāt: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• vibhuḥ: The All-pervading Lord
• vibhuḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vaiśyān: Vaishyas
• vaiśyān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaiśya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• ūrudvayāt: From the two thighs
• ūrudvayāt: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūru + dvaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular. (ūrvōḥ dvayam)

• devaḥ: The God
• devaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• pādāt: From the foot
• pādāt: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• śūdrān: Shudras
• śūdrān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūdra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• pitāmahaḥ: The Grandfather (Brahma)
• pitāmahaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic voice, describing cosmic creation within the Kurma Purana’s account)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Pitāmaha (Brahmā)
• Vibhu (the Supreme Lord)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as the all-pervading source from whom differentiated social functions arise, implying an underlying unity (one Lord as cause) behind the many roles in the manifest world.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is taught in this verse; it supplies the dharmic framework (varṇa-based duties) that supports purification of conduct (yama/niyama-like discipline), which the Kurma Purana later aligns with yoga-oriented liberation teachings.

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

While not naming Śiva or Viṣṇu explicitly, it uses inclusive titles like “Vibhu/Deva,” consistent with the Kurma Purana’s tendency to treat the supreme creative principle as one reality honored through multiple sectarian lenses.