Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Avimukta-Māhātmya — Vyāsa in Vārāṇasī and Śiva’s Secret Teaching of Liberation

Devanagari script

स्थानान्तरं पवित्राणि तीर्थान्यायतनानि च / श्मशानसंस्थितान्येव दिव्यभूमिगतानि च

Transliteration

sthānāntaraṃ pavitrāṇi tīrthānyāyatanāni ca / śmaśānasaṃsthitānyeva divyabhūmigatāni ca

Translation

Il existe aussi d’autres lieux saints : des tīrthas et des sanctuaires ; certains sont établis dans des lieux de crémation, d’autres dans des terres divines et consacrées.

Word by Word

• स्थान-अन्तरम्: another place
• स्थान-अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘स्थानस्य अन्तरम्’ = another place

• पवित्राणि: holy/pure
• पवित्राणि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• तीर्थानि: pilgrimage places
• तीर्थानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• आयतनानि: abodes/shrines
• आयतनानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• श्मशान-संस्थितानि: situated in cremation grounds
• श्मशान-संस्थितानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्मशान (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्थित (प्रातिपदिक; सम्-स्था धातु से क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘श्मशाने संस्थितानि’ = situated in cremation-grounds

• एव: indeed
• एव: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis

• दिव्य-भूमि-गतानि: located on divine ground
• दिव्य-भूमि-गतानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भूमि (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (प्रातिपदिक; गम् धातु से क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘दिव्यायां भूमौ गतानि/स्थितानि’ = located on divine ground

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in a tirtha-mahatmya context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Tirtha
• Ayatana
• Shmashana
• Divya-bhumi

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly, by affirming that sanctity is not confined to one locale: purity can be encountered in diverse settings, suggesting the sacred is pervasive rather than limited—an outlook compatible with Purāṇic non-sectarian spirituality.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse does not prescribe a specific technique; it supports a yogic attitude of inner purity and reverence, where pilgrim-sites—including cremation-grounds—become supports for contemplation, renunciation, and dharma-oriented discipline.

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

By validating shrines and sacred spaces of varied types (including śmaśāna-associated sanctity prominent in Śaiva practice) within a Vaiṣṇava-speaker framework, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative, Shaiva–Vaishnava approach to holiness.