Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9

Brahmā’s Lotus-Birth, the Sealing of the Cosmic Womb, and the Epiphany of Parameśvara

Hari–Hara Samanvaya

Devanagari script

पीतवासा विशालाक्षो नीलजिमूतसन्निभः / महाविभूतिर्योगात्मा योगिनां हृदयालयः

Transliteration

pītavāsā viśālākṣo nīlajimūtasannibhaḥ / mahāvibhūtiryogātmā yogināṃ hṛdayālayaḥ

Translation

पीतवासा विशालाक्षो नीलजिमूतसन्निभः। महाविभूतिर्योगात्मा योगिनां हृदयालयः॥

Word by Word

• पीत-वासा: wearing yellow garments
• पीत-वासा: विशेषण (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत (कृदन्त) + वासस्/वासा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—पीतं वासः यस्य सः

• विशाल-अक्षः: large-eyed
• विशाल-अक्षः: विशेषण (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशाल (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षि/अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—विशाले अक्षीणि यस्य सः

• नील-जिमूत-सन्निभः: resembling a dark-blue cloud
• नील-जिमूत-सन्निभः: विशेषण (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक) + जिमूत (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—नीलस्य जिमूतस्य सन्निभः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• महा-विभूतिः: of great majesty/power
• महा-विभूतिः: विशेषण (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + विभूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—महती विभूतिः (कर्मधारय)

• योग-आत्मा: whose nature is yoga; yogic-souled
• योग-आत्मा: विशेषण (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—योगः आत्मा यस्य/योगमयः आत्मा यस्य सः

• योगिनाम्: of yogins
• योगिनाम्: सम्बन्ध (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• हृदय-आलयः: dwelling in the heart
• हृदय-आलयः: विशेषण (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक) + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—हृदयस्य आलयः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) describing the Supreme Lord as taught in the Kurma Purana’s dhyāna context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Hari
• Supreme Lord (Īśvara)
• Yogins

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Lord as the Antaryāmin—dwelling in the hearts of yogins—indicating that the Supreme Reality is inwardly accessible as the indwelling Self, not merely an external deity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports dhyāna-yoga: sustained contemplation of the Lord’s form (saguṇa-upāsanā) together with inward absorption, recognizing Him as the heart-abode and the very essence of Yoga.

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

By emphasizing Īśvara as the inner Lord and the essence of Yoga, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where sectarian forms are gateways to the one Supreme—accessible through yogic realization rather than rivalry.