Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96

Devī-tattva, Śakti–Śaktimān doctrine, Kāla–Māyā cosmology, and Māheśvara Yoga instruction

Devanagari script

विश्वरूपा महागर्भा विश्वेशेच्छानुवर्तिनी / महीयसी ब्रह्मयोनिर्महालक्ष्मीसमुद्भावा

Transliteration

viśvarūpā mahāgarbhā viśveśecchānuvartinī / mahīyasī brahmayonirmahālakṣmīsamudbhāvā

Translation

ती सर्वविश्वस्वरूपा, सर्वभूतांची महागर्भा असून विश्वेश्वराच्या इच्छेनुसार प्रवर्तते। ती परम महनीय, ब्रह्म्याची योनी व महालक्ष्मीस्वरूपे उद्भवलेली आहे।

Word by Word

• विश्वरूपा: of universal form
• विश्वरूपा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विश्व + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

• महागर्भा: great-wombed
• महागर्भा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• विश्वेश: of the Lord of the universe
• विश्वेश: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; ‘विश्वेशस्य’ (gen. sg.)

• इच्छा: will, desire
• इच्छा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासपूर्वपद (will/desire)

• अनुवर्तिनी: following, conforming to
• अनुवर्तिनी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनु + वृत् (धातु) + णिनि (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वर्तमानकालिक-कर्तरि कृदन्त (agent noun) ‘following’

• महीयसी: greater, more exalted
• महीयसी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मह्/महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तुलनात्मक (comparative) ‘greater’

• ब्रह्मयोनिः: source of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मयोनिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + योनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्मणः योनि:’ (source of Brahmā)

• महालक्ष्मीसमुद्भावा: arisen from Mahālakṣmī
• महालक्ष्मीसमुद्भावा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + लक्ष्मी + समुद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘महालक्ष्म्याः समुद्भावा’ (arising from Mahālakṣmī)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching within the Ishvara-Gita context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Viśveśa (Lord of the universe)
• Mahālakṣmī
• Brahmā

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as operating through Shakti: the cosmic power that becomes the universe, sustains it as the womb of beings, and manifests creation (including Brahmā) in harmony with the Lord’s will—implying non-dual governance where consciousness and power are inseparable.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to īśvara-anusandhāna (God-centered contemplation): aligning one’s mind and action with the divine will (viśveśecchānuvartinī). In the Ishvara-Gita frame, this supports disciplined devotion and inward surrender—key orientations for Pāśupata-leaning practice.

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

By using the title Viśveśa (often Shaiva in tone) while attributing the teaching to Lord Kūrma (Vishnu), it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: one supreme Lord whose will is expressed through Shakti (Mahālakṣmī), bridging Shaiva-Vaishnava language without contradiction.