Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47

Sapta-dvīpa Cosmography and the Vision of Śvetadvīpa–Vaikuṇṭha

Devanagari script

अन्ये महेश्वरपरास्त्रिपुण्ड्राङ्कितमस्तकाः / स्वयोगोद्भूतकिरणा महागरुडवाहनाः

Transliteration

anye maheśvaraparāstripuṇḍrāṅkitamastakāḥ / svayogodbhūtakiraṇā mahāgaruḍavāhanāḥ

Translation

Outros são devotados a Maheśvara (Śiva), com a testa marcada pelo tripuṇḍra, as três linhas de cinza sagrada; de sua própria disciplina ióguica irrompem raios de fulgor espiritual, e eles se movem montados no grande Garuḍa.

Word by Word

• anye: others
• anye: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• maheśvara-parāḥ: devoted to Maheśvara (Śiva)
• maheśvara-parāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: maheśvara (प्रातिपदिक) + para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण to अन्ये

• tripuṇḍra-aṅkita-mastakāḥ: with foreheads marked by the triple sacred ash lines
• tripuṇḍra-aṅkita-mastakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + puṇḍra (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅkita (प्रातिपदik) + mastaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण to अन्ये

• sva-yoga-udbhūta-kiraṇāḥ: whose rays have arisen from their own yoga
• sva-yoga-udbhūta-kiraṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + udbhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + kiraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण to अन्ये

• mahā-garuḍa-vāhanāḥ: having the great Garuḍa as their vehicle
• mahā-garuḍa-vāhanāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + garuḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + vāhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण to अन्ये

Speaker

Narratorial voice in the Kurma Purana (describing classes of devotees and their yogic characteristics within a Shaiva–Vaishnava frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Maheshvara (Shiva)
• Tripundra
• Yoga
• Garuda

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By linking inner yogic attainment to outward radiance (kiraṇa), the verse implies that realization is an interior transformation—when consciousness is disciplined through yoga, it manifests as spiritual splendor, suggesting the Self’s luminous nature becomes evident through practice.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to sva-yoga—personal yogic discipline—whose fruit is udbhūta-kiraṇa, an arising of inner light/tejas. In Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis, such yoga aligns with Pāśupata-oriented restraint, concentration, and devotion that mature into visible spiritual power and clarity.

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

It presents Śaiva identity markers (tripuṇḍra, devotion to Maheśvara) alongside a distinctly Vaiṣṇava emblem (Garuḍa as vehicle), reflecting the Purana’s non-sectarian vision in which devotion and yogic accomplishment transcend rigid boundaries between Śiva and Viṣṇu.