Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

Brahmā’s Lotus-Birth, the Sealing of the Cosmic Womb, and the Epiphany of Parameśvara

Hari–Hara Samanvaya

Devanagari script

किन्तु लीलार्थमेवैतन्न त्वां बाधितुमिच्छया / को हि बाधितुमन्विच्छेद् देवदेवं पितामहम्

Transliteration

kintu līlārthamevaitanna tvāṃ bādhitumicchayā / ko hi bādhitumanvicched devadevaṃ pitāmaham

Translation

แต่สิ่งนี้ทำเพียงเพื่อความเป็นลีลา มิใช่ด้วยประสงค์จะขัดขวางท่าน ใครเล่าจะคิดต้านทานเทพเหนือเทพ ปิตามหผู้ปฐม?

Word by Word

• किन्तु: but
• किन्तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kintu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction/adversative)

• लीला-अर्थम्: for sport
• लीला-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: līlā (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (लीलायाः अर्थः = for the sake of play)

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (restrictive/emphatic particle)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; demonstrative pronoun

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध अव्यय (negation particle)

• त्वाम्: you
• त्वाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यमपुरुष सर्वनाम, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• बाधितुम्: to obstruct
• बाधितुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bādh (धातु) + tumun (कृदन्त)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), प्रयोजनार्थ (to obstruct)

• इच्छया: with intent
• इच्छया: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: icchā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; ‘with intention’

• कः: who
• कः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; interrogative pronoun

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis/causal nuance)

• बाधितुम्: to obstruct
• बाधितुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bādh (धातु) + tumun (कृदन्त)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive)

• अन्विच्छेत्: would attempt
• अन्विच्छेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu√iṣ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद; ‘would seek/attempt’

• देव-देवम्: God of gods
• देव-देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवानां देवः)

• पितामहम्: the grandsire (Brahmā)
• पितामहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

A sage/narrator addressing a divine figure (contextual; Purva-bhaga dialogue frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Devadeva
• Pitāmaha

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It implies the Supreme is never truly obstructed; apparent conflict belongs to līlā (divine play), while ultimate sovereignty remains untouched—an idea compatible with the Purana’s theistic non-dual tone.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is taught in this line; its practical teaching is contemplative—train the mind to see worldly opposition as līlā and rest in trust (śraddhā) in the Lord’s unassailable order, a supportive attitude for Pashupata-style devotion and discipline.

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

By stressing “Devadeva” and supreme unopposability, it supports the Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis where the highest Lord is beyond rivalry—allowing Shaiva-Vaishnava unity rather than sectarian competition.