Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 136

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

Devanagari script

चन्द्रहस्ता विचित्राङ्गी स्त्रग्विणी पद्मधारिणी / परावरविधानज्ञा महापुरुषपूर्वजा

Transliteration

candrahastā vicitrāṅgī stragviṇī padmadhāriṇī / parāvaravidhānajñā mahāpuruṣapūrvajā

Translation

Di tangan-Nya tersemat bulan sabit; wujud-Nya menakjubkan; berhias kalungan bunga dan memegang teratai. Baginda mengetahui tata-aturan alam tinggi dan alam rendah, dan Dialah Śakti purba yang mendahului Mahāpuruṣa (Insan Agung, Yang Tertinggi).

Word by Word

• चन्द्रहस्ता: she whose hand(s) are like the moon
• चन्द्रहस्ता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्र + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (चन्द्र इव हस्तौ यस्याः/हस्तः)

• विचित्राङ्गी: having wondrous limbs
• विचित्राङ्गी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र + अङ्गिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (विचित्राणि अङ्गानि यस्याः)

• स्त्रग्विणी: garlanded
• स्त्रग्विणी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्त्रज्/स्रज् + विनिन्-प्रत्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विनिन्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम् (garland-possessing)

• पद्मधारिणी: lotus-bearing
• पद्मधारिणी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + धारिणी (धृ धातु + णिनि/इनी, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (पद्मं धारयती)

• परावरविधानज्ञा: knower of the ordinances of higher and lower (realms)
• परावरविधानज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर + अवर + विधान + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समासः (परावरयोः विधानं जानाती)

• महापुरुषपूर्वजा: born before the Great Person / primeval relative of the Mahāpuruṣa
• महापुरुषपूर्वजा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महापुरुष + पूर्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (महापुरुषस्य पूर्वजा)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing the sages/Indradyumna within the Ishvara Gita framework (Upari-bhaga 1–11).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Mahāpuruṣa
• Padma (lotus)
• Candra (moon)
• Devī/Śakti (implied)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing a primordial principle that knows both the transcendent (para) and immanent (apara) orders, the verse points to a reality that comprehends and governs both levels—suggesting an all-encompassing, pre-manifest ground that supports the Supreme Person’s manifestation.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

While not prescribing a technique directly, the verse supports Ishvara-Gita style contemplation: meditate on the Divine as simultaneously transcendent and immanent (para–apara), a key orientation behind Pāśupata-informed devotion and inner absorption (dhyāna) in the Kurma Purana.

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

By presenting a single primordial Power (Śakti) tied to cosmic order and the Supreme Person, the verse aligns with the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: Śiva–Viṣṇu are understood through a unified divine principle expressed in different theological registers.