Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 9

Rudrakoṭi, Madhuvana, Puṣpanagarī, and Kālañjara — Śveta’s Bhakti and the Subjugation of Kāla

Devanagari script

अन्यच्च तीर्थप्रवरं नाम्ना मधुवनं स्मृतम् / तत्र गत्वा नियमवानिन्द्रस्यार्धासनं लभेत्

Transliteration

anyacca tīrthapravaraṃ nāmnā madhuvanaṃ smṛtam / tatra gatvā niyamavānindrasyārdhāsanaṃ labhet

Translation

மேலும் ‘மதுவனம்’ எனப்படும் இன்னொரு சிறந்த தீர்த்தம் உள்ளது. அங்கே சென்று நியமம் கடைப்பிடிக்கும் யாத்திரிகன் இந்திரனின் அரை ஆசனப் பங்கினைப் பெறுவான்।

Word by Word

• अन्यत्: another
• अन्यत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Nom./Acc. singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तीर्थ-प्रवरम्: an excellent tīrtha
• तीर्थ-प्रवरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom./Acc. singular)

• नाम्ना: by name
• नाम्ना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Neuter, Instrumental singular)

• मधुवनम्: Madhuvana
• मधुवनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु + वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom./Acc. singular)

• स्मृतम्: is called / is remembered
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• गत्वा: having gone
• गत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund)

• नियमवान्: disciplined
• नियमवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियमवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Nominative singular; adjectival)

• इन्द्रस्य: of Indra
• इन्द्रस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Genitive singular)

• अर्ध-आसनम्: half the seat (a share of Indra's throne)
• अर्ध-आसनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Neuter, Accusative singular)

• लभेत्: may obtain
• लभेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्-लकार (Optative); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (3rd person singular, Ātmanepada)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna (tirtha instructions within a dharma-purana frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Madhuvana
• Indra

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it teaches that spiritual fruit depends on inner discipline (niyama), implying that outer pilgrimage becomes meaningful when aligned with self-mastery—an Atman-centered orientation rather than mere ritual travel.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds niyama (regulated observances such as purity, restraint, truthfulness, and disciplined conduct). In the Kurma Purana’s broader yoga-dharma outlook, such niyamas support steadiness of mind and qualify a seeker for higher practices like devotion, mantra, and contemplative absorption.

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

Not explicitly in this shloka; however, the Kurma Purana’s integrative method appears in linking pilgrimage and disciplined conduct to divine attainment—compatible with both Shaiva (Pashupata-oriented) and Vaishnava frames, where grace is approached through dharma and inner regulation.