Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

Nine Creations (Sarga), Guṇa-Streams of Beings, and Brahmā’s Progeny in Cyclic Time

Devanagari script

श्रोत्राभ्यामत्रिनामानं धर्मं च व्यवसायतः / संकल्पं चैव संकल्पात् सर्वलोकपितामहः

Transliteration

śrotrābhyāmatrināmānaṃ dharmaṃ ca vyavasāyataḥ / saṃkalpaṃ caiva saṃkalpāt sarvalokapitāmahaḥ

Translation

Datuk segala alam (Brahmā) melahirkan resi bernama Atri daripada kedua-dua telinga; daripada keteguhan tekad Baginda menzahirkan Dharma; dan daripada Saṅkalpa (niat penciptaan) Baginda melahirkan Saṅkalpa itu sendiri.

Word by Word

• श्रोत्राभ्याम्: with/from the two ears
• श्रोत्राभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• अत्रिनामानम्: (one) named Atri
• अत्रिनामानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अत्रि + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'अत्रेः नाम' → 'named Atri'

• धर्मम्: Dharma
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• व्यवसायतः: from resolve/effort
• व्यवसायतः: Apadana (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यवसाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular) (epic usage: -तः as ablative)

• संकल्पम्: Saṅkalpa
• संकल्पम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संकल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• संकल्पात्: from resolve
• संकल्पात्: Apadana (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संकल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• सर्वलोकपितामहः: the grandsire of all worlds (Brahmā)
• सर्वलोकपितामहः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + लोक + पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'सर्वेषां लोकानां पितामहः'

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic voice, traditionally Sūta/Vyāsa in the discourse framework)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Sarvalokapitāmaha)
• Atri
• Dharma
• Saṅkalpa

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It implies creation proceeds through subtle inner powers—resolve (vyavasāya) and intention (saṅkalpa)—pointing to consciousness as the causal basis behind manifested principles like Dharma and the progenitors.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds saṅkalpa (right intention) and vyavasāya (steady determination), which function as yogic prerequisites: disciplined will and focused mental resolve that stabilize dharma and support higher contemplative practice.

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

While not naming Śiva or Viṣṇu directly, it aligns with the Purāṇa’s non-sectarian synthesis by treating Dharma and saṅkalpa as universal divine functions—principles later integrated into both Śaiva (Pāśupata) and Vaiṣṇava frameworks.