Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

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

Hari–Hara Samanvaya

Devanagari script

ज्ञात्वा तत्परमं भावमैश्वरं ब्रह्मभावनम् / प्रोवाचोत्थाय भगवान् देवदेवं पितामहम्

Transliteration

jñātvā tatparamaṃ bhāvamaiśvaraṃ brahmabhāvanam / provācotthāya bhagavān devadevaṃ pitāmaham

Translation

ครั้นทรงรู้แจ้งภาวะสูงสุดอันเป็นไอศวรรย์—การภาวนาพรหมันในฐานะอีศวร—พระภควานทรงลุกขึ้นแล้วตรัสต่อปิตามหะพรหมา บิดาแห่งเหล่าเทวะ।

Word by Word

• ज्ञात्वा: having known
• ज्ञात्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (prior action)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (demonstrative)

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• भावम्: state/nature
• भावम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ऐश्वरम्: lordly/divine
• ऐश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऐश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ब्रह्मभावनम्: contemplation/realization of Brahman
• ब्रह्मभावनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्म + भावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (brahmaṇaḥ bhāvanam)

• प्रोवाच: said/spoke forth
• प्रोवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: प्र-

• उत्थाय: having risen
• उत्थाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive), उपसर्ग: उत्-

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• देवदेवम्: the god of gods
• देवदेवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (devānāṃ devaḥ)

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

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Lord Kurma/Vishnu addressing Brahmā)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavan (Lord Kurma/Vishnu)
• Brahma (Pitamaha)
• Ishvara
• Brahman

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames the highest realization as an aiśvara (Īśvara-centered) bhāva grounded in brahma-bhāvanā—meditative contemplation of Brahman—implying that the Supreme is both transcendent Brahman and the personal Lord.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The key practice indicated is brahma-bhāvanā: sustained contemplative absorption on Brahman/Īśvara, aligning with the Ishvara-Gita’s yogic emphasis on inner realization rather than mere ritual.

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

By using Īśvara-language alongside Brahman-contemplation while the Blessed Lord speaks authoritatively, the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where the one Supreme (Īśvara/Brahman) is expressed through multiple divine forms.