Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 51

Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rudra’s Samanvaya Teaching

Maṅkaṇaka Episode

Devanagari script

यत् सगर्वं हि भवता नर्तितं मुनिपुङ्गव / न युक्तं तापसस्यैतत् त्वत्तोप्यत्राधिको ह्यहम्

Transliteration

yat sagarvaṃ hi bhavatā nartitaṃ munipuṅgava / na yuktaṃ tāpasasyaitat tvattopyatrādhiko hyaham

Translation

முனிவரே! நீ இங்கே அகந்தையுடன் ஆடிய நடனம் தவசிக்கு ஏற்றதல்ல. இவ்விஷயத்தில் நான் உன்னைவிடவும் மேலானவன்.

Word by Word

• यत्: that (which)
• यत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative ‘that/which’)

• सगर्वम्: proudly
• सगर्वम्: Hetu/Prakara (प्रकार)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-गर्व (प्रातिपदिक); स + गर्व
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (proudly) qualifying नर्तितम्

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/हेतौ (indeed/for)

• भवता: by you
• भवता: Kartr (कर्ता in passive)/Agent (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; आदरार्थ सर्वनाम (by you, sir)

• नर्तितम्: dancing (done)
• नर्तितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नृत् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; भावे/कर्मणि (the dancing done)

• मुनिपुङ्गव: O foremost sage
• मुनिपुङ्गव: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि-पुङ्गव (प्रातिपदिक); मुनि + पुङ्गव
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (bull among sages)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• युक्तम्: proper
• युक्तम्: Pradhana-predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle) used adjectivally; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; ‘proper/fit’

• तापसस्य: of an ascetic
• तापसस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘of an ascetic’

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta/Karma (contextual)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; demonstrative

• त्वत्तः: than you
• त्वत्तः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन; ‘than you/from you’

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि-भाव (even/also)

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (locative adverb: here/in this matter)

• अधिकः: greater
• अधिकः: Pradhana-predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; comparative sense ‘greater/superior’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक (indeed)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

A powerful ascetic/authority figure addressing a sage (munipuṅgava) in reprimand

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: vira

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it warns that pride (garva) distorts spiritual vision; an ascetic aligned with the Self should embody humility and restraint rather than self-display.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights a core yogic discipline: overcoming ego and avoiding performative spirituality. True tapas and yoga are marked by inner control (saṃyama), not outward exhibition.

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

This verse is ethical rather than sectarian; it supports the Purana’s integrative spirit by emphasizing shared dharmic standards for sādhakas across Shaiva and Vaishnava paths—humility and proper ascetic conduct.