Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43

Adhyāya 25 — Liṅga-māhātmya (The Chapter on the Liṅga): Hari’s Śiva-Worship and the Fiery Pillar Theophany

Devanagari script

आजग्मुर्देवगन्धर्वा द्रष्टुं लोकादिमव्ययम् / महर्षयः पूर्वजाता मार्कण्डेयादयो द्विजाः

Transliteration

ājagmurdevagandharvā draṣṭuṃ lokādimavyayam / maharṣayaḥ pūrvajātā mārkaṇḍeyādayo dvijāḥ

Translation

デーヴァとガンダルヴァは、諸世界の根源たる不滅の本初者を拝見せんと来たり、また古き生まれの大聖仙たち—マールカンデーヤらの二度生まれ（ドヴィジャ）も到来した。

Word by Word

• आजग्मुः: came
• आजग्मुः: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• देव-गन्धर्वाः: the Devas and Gandharvas
• देव-गन्धर्वाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (devas and gandharvas)

• द्रष्टुम्: to see
• द्रष्टुम्: प्रयोजन (Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), प्रयोजनार्थ (purpose)

• लोक-आदिम्: the origin of the world
• लोक-आदिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; 'लोकादि' = लोकस्य आदिः (origin of the world)

• अव्ययम्: imperishable
• अव्ययम्: कर्म (Karma/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• महर्षयः: great sages
• महर्षयः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; additional)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• पूर्व-जाताḥ: born earlier
• पूर्व-जाताḥ: कर्ता (Karta/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + जात (√जन् + क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; 'पूर्वजात' = पूर्वं जाताः (born earlier)

• मार्कण्डेय-आदयः: Mārkaṇḍeya and others
• मार्कण्डेय-आदयः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्कण्डेय (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; 'मार्कण्डेयादि' = मार्कण्डेयः आदिः येषाम् (beginning with Mārkaṇḍeya)

• द्विजाः: twice-born (brahmins)
• द्विजाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) describing the gathering of celestial beings and sages

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Maharṣis
• Lokādi (the primal source of the worlds)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling the object of vision “lokādi” (source of the worlds) and “avyaya” (imperishable), the verse points to the Supreme as the changeless ground behind cosmic manifestation—an Atman/Brahman reality sought even by gods and sages.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes darśana—seeking direct vision of the imperishable principle. In Kurma Purana’s wider teaching, such “beholding” is supported by disciplined conduct (dharma), devotion (bhakti), and contemplative steadiness that culminate in realization rather than mere intellectual knowledge.

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

Though not naming Shiva or Vishnu explicitly, the verse’s focus on the single “imperishable source of the worlds” aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the supreme principle revered across Shaiva and Vaishnava frames is one, approached by many exalted beings.