Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 168

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

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

तदन्तरे महादैत्यो ह्यन्धको मन्मथार्दितः / मोहितो गिरिजां देवीमाहर्तुं गिरिमाययौ

Transliteration

tadantare mahādaityo hyandhako manmathārditaḥ / mohito girijāṃ devīmāhartuṃ girimāyayau

Translation

दरम्यान महादैत्य अंधक कामाच्या उद्वेगाने पीडित होऊन मोहित झाला आणि गिरिजा देवीचे हरण करण्यासाठी पर्वताकडे गेला।

Word by Word

• तदन्तरे: in the meantime/within that interval
• तदन्तरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद्-अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (Tatpuruṣa: तस्य अन्तरे), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• महादैत्यः: the great demon
• महादैत्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास (Karmadhāraya: महान् दैत्यः), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Indeclinable), निपात (emphatic particle)

• अन्धकः: Andhaka
• अन्धकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्धक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मन्मथार्दितः: afflicted by Kāma (Manmatha)
• मन्मथार्दितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्मथ-अर्दित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (Tatpuruṣa: मन्मथेन अर्दितः), क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मोहितः: deluded/infatuated
• मोहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• गिरिजाम्: Girijā (Pārvatī)
• गिरिजाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरिजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• देवीम्: the goddess
• देवीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• आहर्तुम्: to abduct/carry off
• आहर्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-हृ (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive), क्रियार्थक (purpose)

• गिरिम्: to the mountain / mountain
• गिरिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• आययौ: went/approached
• आययौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator relating the Andhaka episode within the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva narrative frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Andhaka
• Manmatha (Kama)
• Girija (Parvati)
• Mountain (Giri)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it contrasts the Self’s clarity with moha (delusion): when consciousness is overpowered by kāma, discernment collapses and adharma arises—implying that liberation requires mastery over desire and return to inner steadiness.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse functions as a cautionary marker for Yoga: unchecked kāma produces moha. In the Kurma Purana’s broader Pāśupata-leaning ethic, restraint (saṃyama), sense-control, and devotion to Īśvara are presented as antidotes to such agitation.

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

Though the verse centers on a Shaiva narrative (Parvati/Girija), the Kurma Purana’s overarching stance harmonizes sectarian frames: the same dharma and yogic discipline upheld in Vishnu’s teachings also protects the Shaiva sphere from adharma driven by desire.