Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

Genealogies of Yadus and Vṛṣṇis; Navaratha’s Refuge to Sarasvatī; Rise of Sāttvata Tradition; Prelude to Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma Incarnation

Devanagari script

नमस्ये परमानन्दां चित्कलां ब्रह्मरूपिणीम् / पाहि मां परमेशानि भीतं शरणमागतम्

Transliteration

namasye paramānandāṃ citkalāṃ brahmarūpiṇīm / pāhi māṃ parameśāni bhītaṃ śaraṇamāgatam

Translation

Je me prosterne devant Toi—Béatitude suprême, éclat de la Conscience pure, dont la forme est Brahman. Ô Parameśānī, protège-moi : saisi de crainte, je suis venu à Toi pour refuge.

Word by Word

• नमस्ये: I bow (to)
• नमस्ये: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• परमानन्दाम्: supreme bliss (as goddess)
• परमानन्दाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम-आनन्दा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (परमः आनन्दः यस्याः/या)

• चित्कलाम्: the power/portion of consciousness
• चित्कलाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्-कला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (चितः कला)

• ब्रह्मरूपिणीम्: she whose form is Brahman
• ब्रह्मरूपिणीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म-रूपिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मरूपा)

• पाहि: protect
• पाहि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• परमेशानि: O supreme mistress
• परमेशानि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम-ईशानी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (परमा च सा ईशानी च)

• भीतम्: frightened
• भीतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीत (कृदन्त; √भी)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle) विशेषणम् of माम्

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; गत्यर्थे कर्म

• आगतम्: having come (seeking)
• आगतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-गत (कृदन्त; √गम्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past active participle) विशेषणम् of माम्

Speaker

A devotee/supplicant addressing the Supreme Goddess (Devī/Parameśānī) in prayer within the Purva-bhāga narrative frame

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Parameśānī (Supreme Goddess)
• Brahman
• Cit (Consciousness)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling the Goddess “paramānandā” and “brahma-rūpiṇī,” the verse points to ultimate reality as Brahman—pure Consciousness and Bliss—beyond fear and limitation, which is also the essence of the Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds śaraṇāgati (surrender) and one-pointed devotion as a yogic means: turning the mind from fear to the Supreme, invoking protection, and stabilizing awareness in cit (pure consciousness).

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

Though addressed to the Supreme Lady, the theology is non-sectarian: the highest is “Brahman-form,” aligning with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where Śaiva/Śākta devotion and Vaiṣṇava Purāṇic framing converge in a nondual Supreme.