Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

Mādhayameśvara-māhātmya — Vyāsa at Mandākinī and the Pāśupata Vision

Devanagari script

ततः शिष्यान् समाहूय भगवान् ब्रह्मवित्तमः / प्रोवाच मध्यमेशस्य माहात्म्यं पैलपूर्वकान्

Transliteration

tataḥ śiṣyān samāhūya bhagavān brahmavittamaḥ / provāca madhyameśasya māhātmyaṃ pailapūrvakān

Translation

Alors le Bienheureux, le plus éminent connaisseur du Brahman, rassembla ses disciples—à commencer par Paila—et leur exposa la grandeur sacrée de Madhyameśa.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla/Anantarya (काल/अनन्तर्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya; sequence adverb

• शिष्यान्: disciples
• शिष्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• समाहूय: having called together
• समाहूय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√ह्वा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive), पूर्वकालिक; उपसर्ग: सम्-आ-

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• ब्रह्म-वित्तमः: the best knower of Brahman
• ब्रह्म-वित्तमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + वित्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘knower of Brahman’, superlative ‘best’

• प्रोवाच: said
• प्रोवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: प्र-

• मध्यम-ईशस्य: of Madhyameśa
• मध्यम-ईशस्य: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; समास: मध्यमः ईशः (the ‘Middle Lord’ as a name)

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness/glory
• माहात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• पैल-पूर्वकान्: headed by Paila
• पैल-पूर्वकान्: Viśeṣaṇa of शिष्यान् (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पैल (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; समास: पैलः पूर्वः येषां ते (headed by Paila)

Speaker

The narrator (Purāṇic voice) describing a Brahmavid-teacher addressing disciples led by Paila

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Madhyameśa (Śiva)
• Paila

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: by calling the teacher “brahmavittamaḥ,” it frames the forthcoming teaching as grounded in Brahman-realization, implying that true sacred instruction proceeds from direct knowledge of the Supreme Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is stated in this verse; it sets the pedagogical scene—an enlightened teacher convening disciples—typical of Purāṇic transmission that later supports disciplines like devotion (bhakti), vows, and Śaiva-oriented yogic observances in the Madhyameśa context.

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

By presenting a Brahman-knower expounding Śiva’s (Madhyameśa’s) glory within the Kurma Purana’s broader framework, it supports the text’s integrative stance: sectarian praise is anchored in Brahman-knowledge, aligning Śiva-devotion with a non-dual, Purāṇic unity.