Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 6

Cosmic Realms Above Dhruva, the Pātālas Below, and the Foundation of Pralaya

Ananta–Kāla

Devanagari script

विशन्ति यतयः शान्ता नैष्ठिका ब्रह्मचारिणः / योगिनस्तापसाः सिद्धा जापकाः परमेष्ठिनम्

Transliteration

viśanti yatayaḥ śāntā naiṣṭhikā brahmacāriṇaḥ / yoginastāpasāḥ siddhā jāpakāḥ parameṣṭhinam

Translation

Les yatis paisibles—brahmacārins inébranlables, yogins, ascètes accomplis, siddhas et dévots récitant le mantra—entrent en le Seigneur suprême (Parameṣṭhin).

Word by Word

• viśanti: enter
• viśanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√श्/√विश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• yatayaḥ: ascetics
• yatayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• śāntāḥ: peaceful
• śāntāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (agreeing with ‘yatayaḥ’)

• naiṣṭhikāḥ: steadfast/firm in vows
• naiṣṭhikāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naiṣṭhika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• brahmacāriṇaḥ: celibate students
• brahmacāriṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmacārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• yoginaḥ: yogis
• yoginaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• tāpasāḥ: ascetics (performers of tapas)
• tāpasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāpasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• siddhāḥ: accomplished/perfected
• siddhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• jāpakāḥ: chanters (of japa)
• jāpakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāpaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• parama-iṣṭhinam: Parameṣṭhin (the Supreme Lord/Brahmā)
• parama-iṣṭhinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + iṣṭhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing King Indradyumna (teaching on liberation through disciplined practice)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Parameṣṭhin (Supreme Lord)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It portrays liberation as “entering” the Parameṣṭhin—i.e., attaining complete absorption in the Supreme Reality through inner purity and steadfast discipline, implying a consummation of spiritual identity beyond ordinary separateness.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights a composite sādhana: brahmacarya (vowed continence and restraint), yoga (contemplative integration), tapas (austerity), and japa (mantra repetition), presenting them as convergent paths culminating in realization of the Supreme.

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

By naming the goal as Parameṣṭhin (the Supreme Lord) rather than a sectarian form, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis: disciplined practice leads to one highest reality revered across Shiva-Vishnu idioms.