Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 139

Devī-tattva, Śakti–Śaktimān doctrine, Kāla–Māyā cosmology, and Māheśvara Yoga instruction

Devanagari script

महामायाश्रया मान्या महादेवमनोरमा / व्योमलक्ष्मीः सिहरथा चेकितानामितप्रभा

Transliteration

mahāmāyāśrayā mānyā mahādevamanoramā / vyomalakṣmīḥ siharathā cekitānāmitaprabhā

Translation

ఆమె మహామాయలో ఆశ్రయించినది, గౌరవనీయురాలు, పూజ్యురాలు; మహాదేవునికి మనోహరమైనది. ఆమె వ్యోమలక్ష్మి, సింహరథారూఢ, చేకితాన—భయభక్తిని కలిగించేది, అమితప్రభ కలది.

Word by Word

• महामायाश्रया: resting in/connected with Mahāmāyā
• महामायाश्रया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामाया + आश्रया (आ-श्रि धातु, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (महामायाम् आश्रिता/आश्रयभूता)

• मान्या: venerable; worthy of respect
• मान्या: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मान्य (मान् धातु, यत्/ण्यत् कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; माननीयार्थक-विशेषणम् (worthy of honor)

• महादेवमनोरमा: delightful to Mahādeva
• महादेवमनोरमा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महादेव + मनोरमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (महादेवस्य मनोरमा)

• व्योमलक्ष्मीः: the splendor/fortune of the sky
• व्योमलक्ष्मीः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्योम + लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (व्योम्नः लक्ष्मीः)

• सिहरथा: Siharathā (epithet/name; uncertain)
• सिहरथा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सि + रथा (प्रातिपदिक; पाठभेद/दुर्लभ-शब्दः)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अस्य पदस्य व्युत्पत्तिः अनिश्चित/दुर्लभा (possibly proper epithet)

• चेकितानामितप्रभा: of immeasurable radiance (connected with Cekitāna)
• चेकितानामितप्रभा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चेकितान + अमित + प्रभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समासः (चेकितानस्य अमितप्रभा/चेकितान-सम्बद्धा अमितप्रभा)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching within the Ishvara Gita section (Devi-stuti style enumeration)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Mahāmāyā
• Mahādeva (Śiva)
• Lakṣmī
• Devī (Śakti/Durgā)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By identifying Devī as Mahāmāyā and as “immeasurable radiance,” the verse points to the Supreme as both the power that projects the cosmos (Māyā/Śakti) and the luminous reality that transcends measure—hinting at a non-dual ground where consciousness and power are inseparable.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports Ishvara Gita-style upāsanā: contemplation on the Goddess through her epithets (nāma-smaraṇa) and visualization of her forms (e.g., lion-charioted), aligning devotion with inner concentration—an approach compatible with Pāśupata-leaning discipline where devotion, mantra, and steady mind lead to clarity.

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

Calling Devī “the delight of Mahādeva” while spoken in the Ishvara Gita context attributed to Lord Kurma underscores the Purāṇa’s synthesis: the same supreme divinity is honored through Śiva (as Mahādeva) and through Viṣṇu’s teaching voice, integrating Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava devotion via Śakti.