Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

Madhu–Kaiṭabha, Nārāyaṇa’s Yoga-Nidrā, Rudra’s Manifestation, and the Aṣṭamūrti–Trimūrti Teaching

Devanagari script

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा हरिर्नारायणः प्रभुः / आज्ञापयामास तयोर्वधार्थं पुरुषावुभौ

Transliteration

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā harirnārāyaṇaḥ prabhuḥ / ājñāpayāmāsa tayorvadhārthaṃ puruṣāvubhau

Translation

அவருடைய அந்தச் சொல்லைக் கேட்ட ஹரி—நாராயணப் பெருமான், அவ்விரு பகைவரையும் வதம் செய்யும்படி அந்த இரு தெய்வப் புருஷர்களுக்கும் ஆணையிட்டான்.

Word by Word

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: कर्मविशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘वचनम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• वचनम्: speech/statement
• वचनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: पूर्वकाल (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + क्त्वा (अव्ययकृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund), ‘having heard’

• हरिः: Hari
• हरिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नारायणः: Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणः: कर्तृसम्बन्ध (Apposition to subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘हरिः’ इत्यस्य समानाधिकरण (apposition)

• प्रभुः: the Lord
• प्रभुः: कर्तृसम्बन्ध (Apposition to subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘हरिः’ इत्यस्य उपाधि

• आज्ञापयामास: commanded/ordered
• आज्ञापयामास: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-ज्ञा (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिजन्त (causative) ‘caused to be commanded/ordered’

• तयोः: of the two
• तयोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी/सप्तमी (Genitive/Locative), द्विवचन; अत्र षष्ठी (of the two)

• वधार्थम्: for killing
• वधार्थम्: प्रयोजन (Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी-तत्पुरुष/प्रयोजन-तत्पुरुष: वधाय अर्थः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे (for the purpose)

• पुरुषौ: the two persons
• पुरुषौ: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: कर्मविशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; ‘पुरुषौ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator in the Kurma Purana’s frame dialogue)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Narayana
• Prabhu

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents Nārāyaṇa as the sovereign Lord who directs cosmic order; the Supreme is depicted as the intelligent governor of dharma, acting through empowered agents rather than being limited by personal exertion.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No explicit yogic technique is taught in this verse; its spiritual emphasis is karma aligned with īśvara-ājñā—right action performed in obedience to the Lord’s order, a foundation later refined into disciplined practice in the Kurma Purana’s yoga teachings.

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

While the verse names Hari-Nārāyaṇa specifically, the Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis frames such divine governance as compatible with Shaiva teachings: the one Supreme Lord protects dharma through different names, forms, and delegated powers.