Shloka 10

Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa (Genealogy) culminating in Rāma; Setu-liṅga Māhātmya; Continuation through Kuśa and Lava

Devanagari script

भगीरथस्य तपसा देवः प्रीतमना हरः / बभार शिरसा गङ्गां सोमान्ते सोमभूषणः

Transliteration

bhagīrathasya tapasā devaḥ prītamanā haraḥ / babhāra śirasā gaṅgāṃ somānte somabhūṣaṇaḥ

Translation

భగీరథుని తపస్సుతో హృదయంలో ప్రసన్నుడైన దేవ హరుడు (శివుడు)—సోమభూషణుడు, జటలలో చంద్రధారి—గంగను తన శిరస్సుపై ధరించాడు.

Word by Word

• भगीरथस्य: of Bhagiratha
• भगीरथस्य: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगीरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• देवः: the god
• देवः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रीतमना: with pleased mind
• प्रीतमना: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत-मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (प्रीतः मनाः यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवः/हरः)

• हरः: Hara (Śiva)
• हरः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; देवस्य विशेषनाम

• बभार: bore, carried
• बभार: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्ष), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• शिरसा: with (his) head
• शिरसा: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• गङ्गाम्: the Ganges
• गङ्गाम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• सोमान्ते: at the end/edge of the moon (crescent)
• सोमान्ते: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सोमस्य अन्तः), पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• सोमभूषणः: he whose ornament is the moon
• सोमभूषणः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम + भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सोमः भूषणं यस्य/सोमस्य भूषणम्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; शिवस्य विशेषणम्

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the episode of Bhagiratha and the descent of Gaṅgā)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Bhagiratha
• Shiva (Hara)
• Ganga
• Soma (Moon)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it teaches that intense tapas aligned with dharma draws divine grace: the Lord responds to sincere inner discipline, hinting that spiritual realization is supported by both self-effort (sādhana) and īśvara-anugraha (divine favor).

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) is central—disciplined restraint, vow-based practice, and sustained concentration. In the Kurma Purana’s broader yoga-dharma frame (including Pāśupata-oriented ideals), tapas functions as a purifying limb that prepares the practitioner for steadier meditation and devotion.

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

By presenting Śiva as the compassionate cosmic supporter who channels sacred power (Gaṅgā) for the world’s welfare, the verse aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative vision where divine functions cooperate—reinforcing harmony rather than rivalry between Shaiva and Vaishnava perspectives.