Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

शरण्यं शरणं देवं शंभुं सर्वजगन्मयम् / ब्रह्माणं लोककर्तारं त्रातारं पुरुषं परम् / कूटस्थं जगतामेकं पुराणं पुरुषोत्तमम्

Transliteration

śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ devaṃ śaṃbhuṃ sarvajaganmayam / brahmāṇaṃ lokakartāraṃ trātāraṃ puruṣaṃ param / kūṭasthaṃ jagatāmekaṃ purāṇaṃ puruṣottamam

Translation

సర్వులకు శరణమైన దేవుడు శంభువు—సర్వజగత్తును వ్యాపించినవాడు—ఆయననే నేను శరణు వేడుతున్నాను; బ్రహ్మరూపంగా లోకకర్త, త్రాత, పరమపురుషుడు; కూటస్థుడు, జగత్తుల ఏకాధారం, పురాతన పురుషోత్తముడు।

Word by Word

• śaraṇyam: worthy of refuge
• śaraṇyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaraṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); used as adjective qualifying devaṃ

• śaraṇam: refuge
• śaraṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); appositional to devaṃ

• devam: the god
• devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śaṃbhum: Śambhu (Śiva)
• śaṃbhum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃbhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); proper name/epithet

• sarva-jagat-mayam: consisting of the entire universe
• sarva-jagat-mayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: sarva-jagat (of all the world) + mayam (consisting of)

• brahmāṇam: Brahmā
• brahmāṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); here as Brahmā (proper noun)

• loka-kartāram: creator of the worlds
• loka-kartāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + kartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: loka-kartā (maker of the worlds)

• trātāram: protector/savior
• trātāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• puruṣam: the Person (Supreme Being)
• puruṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• param: supreme
• param: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective to puruṣam

• kūṭastham: unchanging, abiding
• kūṭastham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kūṭastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective (immutable/steadfast)

• jagatām: of worlds
• jagatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ekam: one, unique
• ekam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective to implied deity/person

• purāṇam: ancient
• purāṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective (ancient)

• puruṣa-uttamam: Puruṣottama (the सर्वोत्तम पुरुष)
• puruṣa-uttamam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: best among persons

Speaker

A devotee/narrative voice offering a Śiva-stuti (hymn of refuge) within the chapter’s discourse

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Shambhu
• Shiva
• Brahma
• Purushottama
• Purusha

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling Śambhu “kūṭastha” (immutable) and “eka” (one), the verse points to the Supreme as the unchanging inner ground of all changing worlds—transcendent yet present as the indwelling Puruṣa.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a core discipline: steadying the mind on the one immutable Lord (kūṭastha-eka) through devotion, remembrance, and contemplative recognition of the Divine as pervading all (sarvajaganmaya).

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

By naming Śambhu as “Puruṣottama” and also identifying him with the creator-function (“Brahmāṇaṃ lokakartāram”), the verse reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology: one Supreme reality expressed through multiple divine names and cosmic roles, supporting Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava non-sectarian unity.