Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 60

Madhu–Kaiṭabha, Nārāyaṇa’s Yoga-Nidrā, Rudra’s Manifestation, and the Aṣṭamūrti–Trimūrti Teaching

Devanagari script

आप्यायति यो नित्यं स्वधाम्ना सकलं जगत् / पीयते देवतासङ्घैस्तस्मै सोमात्मने नमः

Transliteration

āpyāyati yo nityaṃ svadhāmnā sakalaṃ jagat / pīyate devatāsaṅghaistasmai somātmane namaḥ

Translation

സ്വധാമത്തിന്റെ പ്രകാശത്താൽ സർവ്വജഗത്തെയും നിത്യവും പോഷിപ്പിക്കുന്നവനും, ദേവസംഘങ്ങൾ (ആനന്ദ-സോമരൂപമായി) പാനം ചെയ്യുന്നവനും ആയ സോമാത്മക പരമാത്മാവിന് നമസ്കാരം।

Word by Word

• āpyāyati: nourishes, makes grow
• āpyāyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pyā (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present indicative, 3rd person singular; causative-like sense ‘causes to thrive’ in context

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण); Indeclinable adverb

• svadhāmnā: by his own splendour
• svadhāmnā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva + dhāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Instrumental, Singular; ‘by/with his own radiance/abode’

• sakalam: entire
• sakalam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sakala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Singular (qualifying जगत्)

• jagat: world
• jagat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• pīyate: is drunk
• pīyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pā (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present indicative, 3rd person singular; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive) ‘is drunk’

• devatāsaṅghaiḥ: by the hosts of gods
• devatāsaṅghaiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता) (in passive: agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devatā + saṅgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; agent-instrument in passive

• tasmai: to him
• tasmai: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Dative, Singular

• soma-ātmane: to the soma-ensouled (Soma)
• soma-ātmane: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: soma + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Dative, Singular; ‘to the one whose self is Soma’

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Sambodhana/Prayojana (सम्बोधन/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (नमस्कारार्थक); Indeclinable salutation

Speaker

A devotee/narratorial voice offering stuti (hymn) within the Purva-bhaga’s devotional-theological frame

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Soma
• Devatāsaṅgha (hosts of gods)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as the inner Soma-Atman—self-luminous and self-sustaining—whose inherent splendor (svadhāman) continually nourishes and upholds the whole cosmos.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports contemplative Yoga centered on the indwelling luminous principle: meditate on the Self as the source of nourishment and bliss (Soma), a focus aligned with puranic dhyāna and the later Kurma Purana emphasis on disciplined inner absorption.

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

By praising a single Soma-Atman who sustains all and is enjoyed by the gods, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance: the supreme reality honored in Shaiva and Vaishnava idioms is ultimately one sustaining Self.