Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

Adhyāya 25 — Liṅga-māhātmya (The Chapter on the Liṅga): Hari’s Śiva-Worship and the Fiery Pillar Theophany

Devanagari script

वेदान्तसाररूपाय कालरूपाय धीमते / नमः शिवाय शान्ताय ब्रह्मणे लिङ्गमूर्तये

Transliteration

vedāntasārarūpāya kālarūpāya dhīmate / namaḥ śivāya śāntāya brahmaṇe liṅgamūrtaye

Translation

వేదాంతసారస్వరూపుడైన, కాలస్వరూపుడైన, ధీమంతుడైన తేజోమయ శివునికి నమః; శాంతస్వరూపుడైన, లింగమూర్తి బ్రహ్మకు నమస్కారం।

Word by Word

• वेदान्तसाररूपाय: to (him who is) the essential form of Vedānta
• वेदान्तसाररूपाय: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेदान्त + सार + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (वेदान्तस्य साररूपः)

• कालरूपाय: to the form of Time
• कालरूपाय: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काल + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (कालस्य रूपम्)

• धीमते: to the wise
• धीमते: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: सम्बोधन/उद्गार (Interjection)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable interjection); नमः + चतुर्थी-योग

• शिवाय: to Śiva
• शिवाय: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• शान्ताय: to the peaceful
• शान्ताय: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• ब्रह्मणे: to Brahman
• ब्रह्मणे: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• लिङ्गमूर्तये: to the liṅga-embodied form
• लिङ्गमूर्तये: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग + मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (लिङ्गस्य मूर्तिः)

Speaker

A narrator/devotee voice within the Purva-bhaga’s Śiva-stuti (hymnic passage), praising Śiva as Brahman

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahman
• Vedanta
• Kala (Time)
• Linga

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It equates Śiva with Brahman, presenting the Supreme as the Vedānta-essence itself—beyond sectarian limitation—while allowing that same Absolute to be approached through a concrete sacred form (the Liṅga).

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports upāsanā (contemplative worship): meditate on Śiva as both nirguṇa Brahman (peaceful, Vedānta-essence) and saguṇa support (Liṅga-mūrti), a template aligned with Pāśupata-oriented devotion leading toward inner stillness (śānti).

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

By identifying Śiva with Brahman and the Vedānta-essence, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology: the Supreme is one, approachable through different divine names and forms—supporting Shaiva–Vaishnava unity rather than rivalry.