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Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

Madhu–Kaiṭabha, Nārāyaṇa’s Yoga-Nidrā, Rudra’s Manifestation, and the Aṣṭamūrti–Trimūrti Teaching

नव ब्रह्माण इत्येते पुराणे निश्चयं गताः / सर्वे ते ब्रह्मणा तुल्याः साधका ब्रह्मवादिनः

nava brahmāṇa ityete purāṇe niścayaṃ gatāḥ / sarve te brahmaṇā tulyāḥ sādhakā brahmavādinaḥ

Sa Purāṇa, tiyak na pinagtitibay na sila ang “siyam na Brahmā.” Lahat sila’y kapantay ni Brahmā—mga sādhaka na ganap at mga tagapagturo ng Brahman.

नवnine
नव:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootनवन् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
Formसंख्यावाचक; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (agreeing with ब्रह्माणः)
ब्रह्माणःBrahmās (Brahmā-like beings)
ब्रह्माणः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन
इतिthus
इति:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति (अव्यय)
Formउद्धरण/इत्यर्थक अव्यय (quotative particle)
एतेthese
एते:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootएतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; demonstrative pronoun
पुराणेin the Purāṇa
पुराणे:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootपुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन
निश्चयम्certainty/conclusion
निश्चयम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootनिश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; object of गताः (idiom: निश्चयं गताः = have come to a conclusion)
गताःhave attained/have reached
गताः:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootगम् (धातु) + क्त (क्त-प्रत्यय)
Formभूतकालिक क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participle) used predicatively; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन
सर्वेall
सर्वे:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; adjective qualifying ते
तेthey
ते:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन
ब्रह्मणाwith Brahmā / compared to Brahmā
ब्रह्मणा:
Upamāna/Instrument (उपमान/करण)
TypeNoun
Rootब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
तुल्याःequal
तुल्याः:
Pradhāna-viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootतुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; predicate adjective
साधकाःpractitioners/accomplishers
साधकाः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootसाधक (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; appositional
ब्रह्मवादिनःexpounders of Brahman
ब्रह्मवादिनः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootब्रह्मवादिन् (प्रातिपदिक); components: ब्रह्म + वादिन्
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: ब्रह्म वदन्ति इति

Sūta (narrator) or the primary Purāṇic narrator describing the tradition (contextual attribution within Purāṇic discourse)

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

B
Brahmā
B
Brahman
P
Purāṇa

FAQs

By praising “brahmavādins” who teach Brahman and calling them Brahmā’s equals, the verse implies that realization and right exposition of Brahman (the Supreme Self) is the highest authority—surpassing mere ritual status.

The verse does not list techniques, but it highlights the goal-state of Yoga: the sādhaka who becomes established in Brahman-realization and can articulate Brahma-vidyā. In Kurma Purana’s broader frame, such accomplishment aligns with disciplined sādhanā, purity, and contemplative knowledge.

This verse focuses on Brahman and Brahmā-like sages rather than naming Shiva or Vishnu; however, its Brahman-centered emphasis supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where ultimate truth is Brahman, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava theological language.