Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

Meru-Topography: Cities of Brahmā and the Dikpālas; Descent of Gaṅgā; Varṣa-Lotus and Boundary Mountains

Devanagari script

तत्र भोगाभिलिप्सूनां भक्तानां परमेष्ठिनः / निवासः कल्पितः पूर्वं देवदेवेन शूलिना

Transliteration

tatra bhogābhilipsūnāṃ bhaktānāṃ parameṣṭhinaḥ / nivāsaḥ kalpitaḥ pūrvaṃ devadevena śūlinā

Translation

അവിടെ പരമേഷ്ഠിൻ (പരമേശ്വരൻ) ഭക്തരിൽ ഇനിയും ഭോഗങ്ങൾ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവർക്കായി, ദേവദേവൻ ശൂലിൻ (ത്രിശൂലധാരി ശിവൻ) മുൻപേ തന്നെ ഒരു വാസസ്ഥലം നിശ്ചയിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (स्थानवाचक)

• भोग-अभिलिप्सूनाम्: of those desiring pleasures
• भोग-अभिलिप्सूनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भोग (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिलिप्सु (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; अभि+√लिप्स् desiderative of √लभ्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (भोगान् अभिलिप्सवः = desiring enjoyments)

• भक्तानाम्: of devotees
• भक्तानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (कृदन्त; √भज् + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• परमेष्ठिनः: of Parameṣṭhin (the Supreme)
• परमेष्ठिनः: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेष्ठिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; (परमेष्ठिनः = of the Supreme Lord/Brahmā/Śiva per context)

• निवासः: dwelling, residence
• निवासः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• कल्पितः: arranged, fashioned
• कल्पितः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √कॢप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; निवासः इति विशेषण

• पूर्वम्: formerly, earlier
• पूर्वम्: कालाधिकरण (Kāla-adhikaraṇa/Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्वम् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (कालवाचक/adverb of time)

• देव-देवेन: by the god of gods
• देव-देवेन: करण (Karaṇa/Agent-instrument; by)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (देवानां देवः)

• शूलिना: by the trident-bearer
• शूलिना: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument; by)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषणरूपेण देवदेवस्य

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic dialogue voice) describing a Śaiva tirtha/abode within the Kurma Purana’s devotional geography

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Parameṣṭhin (Śiva)
• Devadeva (Śiva)
• Śūlin (Śiva)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By naming Śiva as Parameṣṭhin, it implies a supreme presiding reality who governs the dispensation of results; even desire-bound devotees are guided toward a divinely ordered path, suggesting the Supreme as the regulator of karma and spiritual ascent.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is stated; the verse instead frames a graded spiritual economy: devotees with residual bhoga-desire are given an appropriate sacred ‘nivāsa,’ aligning with Purāṇic discipline where devotion and merit gradually purify desire—an idea compatible with Pāśupata-oriented purification leading toward higher yoga.

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

Though Śiva is explicitly praised as Devadeva and Parameṣṭhin, the Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis presents such devotion within a unified dharmic framework where sectarian forms serve the one supreme order; this verse supports that integrative Purāṇic stance by emphasizing divine governance over devotees’ aims.