Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

Viṣṇu at Upamanyu’s Āśrama: Pāśupata Tapas, Darśana of Śiva, and Boons from Devī

Devanagari script

इहेश्वरं देवदेवं मुनीन्द्रा ब्रह्मवादिनः / ध्यायन्तो ऽत्रासते देवं जापिनस्तापसाश्च ये

Transliteration

iheśvaraṃ devadevaṃ munīndrā brahmavādinaḥ / dhyāyanto 'trāsate devaṃ jāpinastāpasāśca ye

Translation

ଏଠାରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମବାଦୀ ମୁନିଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠମାନେ ଦେବଦେବ ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ଧ୍ୟାନ କରନ୍ତି; ଏଠାରେ ଜପକାରୀ ଓ ତପସ୍ବୀମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେଇ ଦେବଙ୍କୁ ଉପାସନା କରି ବସନ୍ତି।

Word by Word

• इह: here
• इह: अधिकरण (Adhikarana/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (here)

• ईश्वरम्: the Lord
• ईश्वरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• देव-देवम्: God of gods
• देव-देवम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानां देवः)

• मुनीन्द्राः: chief sages
• मुनीन्द्राः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मुनीनां इन्द्राः)

• ब्रह्मवादिनः: expounders of Brahman
• ब्रह्मवादिनः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘ब्रह्म’ विषयक-वादिनः (speakers/expounders of Brahman/Veda)

• ध्यायन्तः: meditating
• ध्यायन्तः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्तरि (those who meditate)

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikarana/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (here/in this place)

• आसते: sit / dwell
• आसते: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √आस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• जापिनः: chanters
• जापिनः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जापिन् (प्रातिपदिक; √जप् धातु-जन्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; जप-शीलाः (chanters)

• तापसाः: ascetics
• तापसाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक

• ये: who
• ये: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic voice, traditionally Sūta conveying the account of sacred places and practices)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Ishvara
• Devadeva
• Munis (sages)
• Brahmavadins

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By presenting Īśvara as “Devadeva” contemplated by brahmavādins, the verse implies a supreme, all-overruling Reality accessible through Brahman-knowledge and sustained contemplation—linking devotional worship with Vedāntic insight.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights dhyāna (steady meditation), japa (mantra-repetition), and tapas (austerity)—a classic triad of disciplined practice aligned with Purāṇic Yoga and the Pāśupata-leaning emphasis on inner purification and God-centered concentration.

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

Using the inclusive title “Īśvara, Devadeva,” the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the Supreme Lord is one, approached by sages through Brahman-knowledge and by devotees through japa and tapas—harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava modes of worship.