Shloka 2

Manvantaras, Indras, Saptarṣis, and the Seven Sustaining Manifestations; Vyāsa as Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

वेदशाखाप्रणयनं देवदेवस्य धीमतः / तथावतारान् धर्मार्थमीशानस्य कलौ युगे

Transliteration

vedaśākhāpraṇayanaṃ devadevasya dhīmataḥ / tathāvatārān dharmārthamīśānasya kalau yuge

Translation

カリ・ユガにおいて、神々の神にして賢明なる主は、ヴェーダの諸支分を整え立てる。また法（ダルマ）を護持するため、種々のアヴァターラとして降臨し顕現する。

Word by Word

• veda-śākhā-praṇayanam: the composition/arrangement of Vedic branches
• veda-śākhā-praṇayanam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda + śākhā + praṇayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वेदस्य शाखाः; तासां प्रणयनम्)

• deva-devasya: of the God of gods
• deva-devasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (देवानां देवः)

• dhīmataḥ: of the wise
• dhīmataḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; adjective qualifying devadevasya

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (तथावाचक)

• avatārān: incarnations
• avatārān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avatāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• dharma-artham: for the sake of dharma
• dharma-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य अर्थः/हेतुः) used adverbially as purpose

• īśānasya: of the Lord
• īśānasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• kalau: in Kali (age)
• kalau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• yuge: in the age
• yuge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

Speaker

Narratorial voice within the Purāṇic discourse (sage-to-sage narration; exact speaker not explicit from the single verse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devadeva
• Ishana
• Veda-shakhas
• Avatara
• Kali Yuga
• Dharma

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme Lord (Īśāna/Devadeva) as the conscious governor of revelation and history—one who orders the Veda and initiates avatāras—implying a transcendent, intelligent sovereignty behind dharma in the world.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is stated in this verse; instead it frames the scriptural basis for practice—Veda-śākhās and dharma—through which later Kurma Purana teachings (including Pāśupata-oriented discipline) are to be approached in Kali-yuga.

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

By using titles like Devadeva and Īśāna for the single supreme agent who guides the Veda and avatāras, the verse supports the Purāṇa’s integrative stance: the highest Lord may be praised in Śaiva language while affirming avatāra theology commonly associated with Viṣṇu.