Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

Viṣṇu at Upamanyu’s Āśrama: Pāśupata Tapas, Darśana of Śiva, and Boons from Devī

Devanagari script

सेवितं तापसैः पुण्यैरीशाराधनतत्परैः / प्रशान्तैः सत्यसंकल्पैर्निः शोकैर्निरुपद्रवैः

Transliteration

sevitaṃ tāpasaiḥ puṇyairīśārādhanatatparaiḥ / praśāntaiḥ satyasaṃkalpairniḥ śokairnirupadravaiḥ

Translation

ആ സ്ഥലം പുണ്യ തപസ്വികൾ സേവിക്കുന്നു; അവർ ഈശ്വരാരാധനയിൽ തത്പരർ, പ്രശാന്തർ, സത്യസങ്കൽപ്പമുള്ളവർ, ശോകരഹിതർ, ഉപദ്രവസ്പർശമില്ലാത്തവർ।

Word by Word

• सेवितम्: served
• सेवितम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सेव् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्

• तापसैः: by ascetics
• तापसैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural masculine

• पुण्यैः: virtuous
• पुण्यैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural masculine; विशेषणम् (तापसैः)

• ईशाराधनतत्परैः: intent on worship of the Lord
• ईशाराधनतत्परैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईश-आराधन-तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक; ईश + आराधन + तत्पर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural masculine; विशेषणम्

• प्रशान्तैः: calm
• प्रशान्तैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-शम् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त) / प्रशान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural masculine; ‘calm’

• सत्यसंकल्पैः: of true resolve
• सत्यसंकल्पैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य-संकल्प (प्रातिपदिक; सत्य + संकल्प)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural masculine; विशेषणम् (‘whose resolve is true’)

• निःशोकैः: free from sorrow
• निःशोकैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निः-शोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural masculine; नञ्/निः-पूर्वक-विशेषणम् (‘free from sorrow’)

• निरुपद्रवैः: undisturbed
• निरुपद्रवैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्-उपद्रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural masculine; ‘free from disturbance’

Speaker

Narrator (Purana voice, traditionally Suta reporting the Kurma Purana’s account of sacred places and sages)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Ishvara
• Tapasvin (ascetics)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing sages as “free from sorrow” and “undisturbed,” the verse points to the yogic ideal of abiding in the Self beyond mental agitation—an inner steadiness associated with realization of the Atman under the lordship of Īśvara.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes tapas (disciplined austerity), Īśvara-ārādhana (devotional worship of the Lord), and praśānti (tranquil mind). These are characteristic supports for Śaiva-Pāśupata styled sādhanā and Purāṇic yoga: purification through discipline and stabilization through devotion.

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

It uses the inclusive title “Īśvara” for the worshipped Lord, consistent with the Kurma Purana’s synthetic approach where supreme lordship can be articulated in a way that accommodates both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava theologies without sectarian rupture.