Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 44

Svāyambhuva Lineage to Dakṣa; Pṛthu’s Devotion; Pāśupata Saṃnyāsa; Dakṣa–Satī Episode

Devanagari script

इहैव मुनयः पूर्वं मरीच्याद्या महेश्वरम् / दृष्ट्वा तपोबलाज्ज्ञानं लेभिरे सार्वकालिकम्

Transliteration

ihaiva munayaḥ pūrvaṃ marīcyādyā maheśvaram / dṛṣṭvā tapobalājjñānaṃ lebhire sārvakālikam

Translation

Dito rin, noong unang panahon, ang mga muni—si Marīci at iba pa—nang masilayan si Maheśvara, ay nagkamit, sa lakas ng tapa, ng kaalamang walang kupas sa panahon.

Word by Word

• इह: here
• इह: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक

• एव: indeed
• एव: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधारण

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• पूर्वम्: formerly
• पूर्वम्: Kala-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrvam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (formerly)

• मरीचि-आद्याः: Marīci and others
• मरीचि-आद्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: marīci (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: मरीचिः आदिः येषां ते (Marīci and others)

• महेश्वरम्: Maheśvara (Śiva)
• महेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् ईश्वरः

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having seen’

• तपो-बलात्: from the power of austerity
• तपो-बलात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: तपसः बलम्; पञ्चमी-हेतु/कारण (cause/source)

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• लेभिरे: obtained
• लेभिरे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √labh (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• सार्व-कालिकम्: everlasting, for all times
• सार्व-कालिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sārva (प्रातिपदिक) + kālika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: सर्वकालिकम् (eternal/for all times), ज्ञानम् इत्यस्य विशेषण

Speaker

Narrator/Sage (Purana discourse voice) describing the fruit of Shiva-darshana

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Marici
• Maheshvara (Shiva)
• Munis (Sages)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It implies that liberating knowledge is not merely temporal learning but “sārvakālika”—a timeless realization arising from direct spiritual vision (darśana) supported by tapas, pointing to enduring Self-knowledge rather than changing worldly cognition.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights tapas (disciplined austerity) as a yogic power that matures the seeker for darśana of Maheśvara; this aligns with Pāśupata-oriented practice where self-restraint, sustained sādhanā, and focused contemplation culminate in jñāna.

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

By presenting Maheśvara as the giver of timeless jñāna within the Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis, it supports the Purana’s non-sectarian thrust: supreme knowledge is accessed through the Lord’s grace—whether articulated as Śiva or integrated within the Vaiṣṇava frame of the Kurma discourse.