Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 81

Devī-tattva, Śakti–Śaktimān doctrine, Kāla–Māyā cosmology, and Māheśvara Yoga instruction

Devanagari script

अनादिनिधनामोघा कारणात्मा कलाकला / क्रतुः प्रथमजा नाभिरमृतस्यात्मसंश्रया

Transliteration

anādinidhanāmoghā kāraṇātmā kalākalā / kratuḥ prathamajā nābhiramṛtasyātmasaṃśrayā

Translation

Siya’y walang simula at walang wakas, di nagkukulang—Siya ang Sarili ng sanhi, pinagmumulan ng lahat ng bahagi at kapangyarihan. Siya ang kratu, ang banal na ritwal; ang unang-silang na simulain; ang pusod na pinagmumulan ng amṛta, ang walang-kamatayan—nakasalig lamang sa Kanyang Sarili.

Word by Word

• anādi-nidhana-amoghā: beginningless, endless, unfailing
• anādi-nidhana-amoghā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anādi (प्रातिपदिक) + nidhana (प्रातिपदिक) + amoghā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); विशेषण (adjectival epithet)

• kāraṇa-ātmā: whose essence is the cause
• kāraṇa-ātmā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/निर्धारणार्थः—‘कारणरूपः आत्मा’

• kalā-kalā: the art of arts / supreme kalā
• kalā-kalā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kalā (प्रातिपदिक) + kalā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति-समास (reduplicative epithet)

• kratuḥ: sacrifice; sacred rite
• kratuḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kratu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन

• prathamajā: first-born
• prathamajā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prathama (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; ‘प्रथमं जाता’ (born first)

• nābhiḥ: navel; hub
• nābhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nābhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन

• amṛtasya: of nectar; of immortality
• amṛtasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Gen. 6), एकवचन

• ātma-saṃśrayā: resting in the Self; having the Self as support
• ātma-saṃśrayā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन; ‘आत्मनि संश्रयः यस्याः’—आश्रय-सम्बन्धः

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna (Ishvara Gita discourse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Lord Kurma
• Ishvara (Brahman)
• Atman

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as beginningless and endless, self-established, and the causal ground of everything—so all creation, powers, and even “immortality” depend on Him, while He depends on nothing.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports Ishvara-centric meditation (Ishvara-dhyana) taught in the Ishvara Gita: contemplate the Lord as the inner Self and the causal source of all kalās (powers), leading the mind from effects to the self-supported Cause—an orientation consistent with Pashupata-style devotion and inward absorption.

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

By describing one Supreme Ishvara as the single causal Self and source of all powers, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where sectarian names (Shiva/Vishnu) point to the same non-dual Reality worshipped through different forms.