Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Prayāga–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rules of Pilgrimage

Yātrā-vidhi

Devanagari script

या गतिर्योगयुक्तस्य सत्त्वस्थस्य मनीषिणः / सा गतिस्त्यजतः प्राणान् गङ्गायमुनसंगमे

Transliteration

yā gatiryogayuktasya sattvasthasya manīṣiṇaḥ / sā gatistyajataḥ prāṇān gaṅgāyamunasaṃgame

Translation

യോഗയുക്തനും സത്ത്വസ്ഥനുമായ മുനിക്ക് ലഭിക്കുന്ന പരമഗതി, ഗംഗാ-യമുനാ സംഗമത്തിൽ പ്രാണത്യാഗം ചെയ്യുന്നവനും അതേ ഗതി പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• yā: which
• yā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• gatiḥ: state/goal
• gatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• yoga-yuktasya: of one united with yoga
• yoga-yuktasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + yukta (कृदन्त, √yuj धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृतीया/सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषभावः ‘योगेन युक्तः’ (one endowed with yoga)

• sattva-sthasya: of one established in sattva
• sattva-sthasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sattva (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (कृदन्त, √sthā धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘सत्त्वे स्थितः’ (steadfast in purity)

• manīṣiṇaḥ: of the sage/wise man
• manīṣiṇaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manīṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• sā: that
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• gatiḥ: state/goal
• gatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• tyajataḥ: of one who gives up
• tyajataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tyaj (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/शानच्-प्रत्यय), परस्मैपदी; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘त्यजत्’ = abandoning (of one who abandons)

• prāṇān: life-breaths
• prāṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन

• gaṅgā-yamunā-saṅgame: at the confluence of Gaṅgā and Yamunā
• gaṅgā-yamunā-saṅgame: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक) + yamunā (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समाहार/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘गङ्गायमुनयोः संगमः’

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic discourse, traditionally Sūta relating the teaching of the sages)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā
• Yamunā
• Prayāga (Saṅgama)
• Yoga
• Sattva

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By equating the yogin’s “gati” with the “gati” gained at the sacred saṅgama, the verse implies liberation is a single highest state—realized through inner sattva and Yoga, and also mirrored (by grace/merit) through death at a supremely sanctifying tirtha.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights yoga-yukti (being disciplined in Yoga) and sattva-sthāna (abiding in purity and clarity), implying sustained inner steadiness, discernment (manīṣā), and a yogic orientation toward release rather than mere ritual performance.

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

While not naming Śiva or Viṣṇu directly, the teaching reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: liberation is validated both by yogic realization (a key Śaiva-Yoga emphasis) and by tirtha-grace within Purāṇic devotion—harmonizing disciplined Yoga with sacred geography revered across Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions.