Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 163

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

Devanagari script

शुम्भारिः खेचरीस्वस्था कम्बुग्रीवा कलिप्रिया / खगध्वजी खगारूढा परार्घ्या परमालिनी

Transliteration

śumbhāriḥ khecarīsvasthā kambugrīvā kalipriyā / khagadhvajī khagārūḍhā parārghyā paramālinī

Translation

Wahai Dewi, Engkaulah pembunuh Śumbha; sentiasa tenteram di alam langit, bergerak merentas angkasa. Berleher laksana sangkha, Engkau dikasihi bahkan pada zaman Kali. Mengusung panji burung dan menunggang burung (Garuḍa), Engkau paling layak disembah, berhias dengan kalungan yang tertinggi.

Word by Word

• शुम्भ-अरिः: enemy of Śumbha
• शुम्भ-अरिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + अरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (enemy of Śumbha)

• खेचरी-स्वस्था: sky-roaming and self-abiding
• खेचरी-स्वस्था: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खेचरी (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वस्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (the sky-moving one who is self-abiding/at ease)

• कम्बु-ग्रीवा: conch-necked
• कम्बु-ग्रीवा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु (प्रातिपदिक) + ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (conch-like neck)

• कलि-प्रिया: dear to Kali
• कलि-प्रिया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (dear to Kali / fond of Kali-age)

• खग-ध्वजी: she whose banner is a bird
• खग-ध्वजी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (having a bird as banner)

• खग-आरूढा: mounted on a bird
• खग-आरूढा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक) + आरूढ (कृदन्त, √रुह्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त ‘आरूढ’ + तत्पुरुषः (mounted on a bird)

• पर-अर्घ्या: most worthy of offering
• पर-अर्घ्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नामविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (supremely worthy of offering/valuable)

• परम-आलिनी: supremely garlanded one
• परम-आलिनी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + आलिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (supreme garlanded one / having supreme garlands)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) — Ishvara Gita context (self-revelatory praise through divine epithets)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Śumbha
• Kali-yuga
• Garuḍa

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By presenting the Supreme through many epithets—cosmic (sky-moving), mythic (Śumbha-slayer), and devotional (most worthy of worship)—the verse points to one Reality approached through diverse names and forms, consistent with the Ishvara Gita’s integrative (non-sectarian) vision.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

This verse functions as nāma-smaraṇa (contemplation of divine names): meditating on attributes like “parārghyā” (supremely worship-worthy) and “khagārūḍhā” steadies devotion (bhakti) and supports one-pointedness (ekāgratā), a practical aid aligned with the Kurma Purana’s Yoga-oriented teaching.

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

While the imagery is Vaishnava (Garuḍa-banner and mount), the Ishvara Gita’s broader thrust is synthesis: the Supreme is praised through whichever traditional form best awakens realization, supporting the Purana’s non-dual, Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony.