Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 12

Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Discipline of Pilgrimage (Tīrtha-sevā) within Prāyaścitta

Devanagari script

गुह्याद् गुह्यतमं तीर्थं नकुलीश्वरमुत्तमम् / तत्र सन्निहितः श्रीमान् भगवान् नकुलीश्वरः

Transliteration

guhyād guhyatamaṃ tīrthaṃ nakulīśvaramuttamam / tatra sannihitaḥ śrīmān bhagavān nakulīśvaraḥ

Translation

மறைவினும் மிக மறைவானது ‘நகுலீஸ்வர’ எனப்படும் அந்த உத்தம தீர்த்தம்; அங்கே ஸ்ரீமான் பகவான் நகுலீஸ்வரர் வெளிப்படையாகச் சந்நிதியாகத் திகழ்கிறார்.

Word by Word

• गुह्यात्: than (what is) secret
• गुह्यात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; comparative sense 'than secret'

• गुह्यतमम्: most secret
• गुह्यतमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुह्य (प्रातिपदिक) + तमप् (superlative)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of तीर्थम्

• तीर्थम्: a sacred place
• तीर्थम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नकुलीश्वरम्: Nakulīśvara
• नकुलीश्वरम्: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण/नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नकुलीश्वर (प्रातिपदिक; नकुली + ईश्वर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; apposition to tīrtham as its name

• उत्तमम्: excellent, supreme
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of नकुलीश्वरम्/तीर्थम्

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

• सन्निहितः: present, stationed
• सन्निहितः: Kriya (क्रिया/participial predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-नि-धा (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; predicative with bhagavān

• श्रीमान्: glorious, auspicious
• श्रीमान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण of भगवान्

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नकुलीश्वरः: Nakulīśvara
• नकुलीश्वरः: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नकुलीश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; apposition to bhagavān

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu), describing a sacred tirtha and the presence of Nakulishvara (Shiva)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Lord Kurma
• Nakulishvara
• Shiva
• Tirtha

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By stressing the Lord’s “sannidhi” (abiding presence) at a tirtha, the verse points to the Purāṇic idea that the Supreme is not merely abstract but experientially accessible—revealed to the purified seeker in sanctified space.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds pilgrimage to a “guhyatama” tirtha as a preparatory discipline: secrecy implies inner eligibility (adhikāra), restraint, and reverent approach—supports for dhyāna and devotion that align with Pāśupata-leaning Śaiva practice within the Kurma Purana’s synthesis.

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

With Lord Kurma praising Nakulīśvara’s supreme tirtha and divine presence, the text models harmony: Viṣṇu (Kurma) authenticates Śiva’s sanctity, reflecting the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava unity rather than sectarian rivalry.