Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 122

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

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

प्रस्थिते ऽथ महादेवे विष्णुर्विश्वतनुः स्वयम् / स्त्रीरूपधारी नियतं सेवते स्म महेश्वरीम्

Transliteration

prasthite 'tha mahādeve viṣṇurviśvatanuḥ svayam / strīrūpadhārī niyataṃ sevate sma maheśvarīm

Translation

ครั้นเมื่อมหาเทพเสด็จจากไปแล้ว พระวิษณุผู้มีสากลจักรวาลเป็นกายเอง ทรงแปลงเป็นสตรี และรับใช้พระมหาเทวีมหेशวรีอย่างมั่นคง

Word by Word

• प्रस्थिते: when (he) had departed
• प्रस्थिते: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (then/now)

• महादेवे: (when) Mahādeva (was)
• महादेवे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महादेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘महान् देवः’

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• विश्वतनुः: whose form is the universe
• विश्वतनुः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विश्व + तनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘विश्वा तनुः यस्य’ (whose body is the universe)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: Karta-nirdeśa (कर्तृनिर्देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय/सर्वनाम)
• Form: अव्यय, आत्मवाचक (reflexive/emphatic)

• स्त्रीरूपधारी: bearing a woman’s form
• स्त्रीरूपधारी: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्त्री + रूप + धारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी/कर्म-तत्पुरुष समासार्थ: ‘स्त्रीरूपं धारयति’ (one who bears a female form)

• नियतं: regularly
• नियतं: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नियत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावेन क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative/usage): ‘नित्यं/नियमेन’

• सेवते: serves/attends
• सेवते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सेव् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• स्म: indeed/used to
• स्म: Kriyā-nuṣaṅga (क्रियानुषङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्म (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, भूतार्थ/स्मरणार्थक (particle indicating past/habitual narration)

• महेश्वरीम्: Mahēśvarī (Pārvatī)
• महेश्वरीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

Purana narrator (Vyasa/Suta-style narration; contextual narrator voice)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Mahadeva (Shiva)
• Maheshvari (Devi/Parvati)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling Viṣṇu “viśva-tanuḥ” (cosmic-bodied), the verse points to the Supreme as immanent in the universe—able to manifest forms without losing transcendence, a hallmark of Purāṇic non-dual theism.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The emphasis is on niyatam sevā—disciplined, steady service—presented as a devotional discipline (bhakti-yoga/karma-yoga flavor) consistent with Purāṇic sādhanā where regulated conduct becomes a means to inner purification.

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

It depicts reverential continuity rather than rivalry: after Śiva’s departure, Viṣṇu remains devotedly engaged with Mahēśvarī, underscoring the Kurma Purāṇa’s synthesis where Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva spheres mutually honor the same supreme reality.