Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 113

Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

कापालं नाकुलं वामं भैरवं पूर्वपश्चिमम् / पञ्चरात्रं पाशुपतं तथान्यानि सहस्त्रशः

Transliteration

kāpālaṃ nākulaṃ vāmaṃ bhairavaṃ pūrvapaścimam / pañcarātraṃ pāśupataṃ tathānyāni sahastraśaḥ

Translation

കാപാലം, നാകുലം, വാമം, ഭൈരവം, പൂർവ-പശ്ചിമ പരമ്പരകൾ; പാഞ്ചരാത്രം, പാശുപതം—ഇതുപോലെ ആയിരക്കണക്കിന് മറ്റു മതസിദ്ധാന്തങ്ങളും।

Word by Word

• कापालम्: Kāpāla (doctrine)
• कापालम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कापाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; शास्त्र-नाम (as object of ‘made’)

• नाकुलम्: Nākula (doctrine)
• नाकुलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वामम्: Vāma (doctrine)
• वामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• भैरवम्: Bhairava (doctrine)
• भैरवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पूर्व-पश्चिमम्: (the system called) East-and-West
• पूर्व-पश्चिमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पश्चिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व (itaretara); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (समाहार-द्वन्द्व as a single system/name)

• पञ्च-रात्रम्: Pañcarātra
• पञ्च-रात्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + रात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पाशुपतम्: Pāśupata (doctrine)
• पाशुपतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाशुपत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तथा: and likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकार (and likewise)

• अन्यानि: other (ones)
• अन्यानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; शास्त्राणि इति (understood) विशेषणम्

• सहस्त्रशः: by the thousand
• सहस्त्रशः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहस्रशस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; परिमाणवाचक (adverb: by thousands/innumerably)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing in a synthetic purāṇic register

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Kāpāla
• Nākula (Lakulīśa tradition)
• Vāma
• Bhairava
• Pāñcarātra
• Pāśupata

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames many sectarian paths (Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava) as numerous approaches within a larger dharmic landscape, implying a single higher aim beyond doctrinal plurality.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to Pāśupata as a named discipline—associated with Śiva-oriented sādhanā, vows, and yogic observances—while also acknowledging āgamic systems like Pāñcarātra that prescribe mantra, pūjā, and meditative worship.

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

By listing Pāñcarātra (Vaiṣṇava) and Pāśupata/Bhairava (Śaiva) side by side, it presents them as coexisting authoritative streams, supporting the Kurma Purana’s integrative, non-sectarian tendency.