Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 151

Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

निशम्य तासां वचनं वृषेन्द्रवरवाहनः / व्याजहार महायोगी भूताधिपतिरव्ययः

Transliteration

niśamya tāsāṃ vacanaṃ vṛṣendravaravāhanaḥ / vyājahāra mahāyogī bhūtādhipatiravyayaḥ

Translation

ان کے کلمات سن کر، بہترین بیل پر سوار، مہایوگی، بھوتوں کے اَویَی (لازوال) حاکم پروردگار نے جواب دیا۔

Word by Word

• niśamya: having heard
• niśamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ni-śam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from धातु √शम् with उपसर्ग नि-; indeclinable verbal form meaning 'having heard'

• tāsām: of those (women)
• tāsām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vacanam: speech, words
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vṛṣendra-vara-vāhanaḥ: he whose excellent mount is the bull (Śiva)
• vṛṣendra-vara-vāhanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣendra (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक) + vāhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'vṛṣendrasya vara-vāhanaḥ' (whose excellent vehicle is the bull-lord)

• vyājahāra: spoke, uttered
• vyājahāra: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ā-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada; from √हृ with उपसर्ग वि-आ-; meaning 'spoke/uttered'

• mahāyogī: the great yogin
• mahāyogī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय: 'mahān yogī'

• bhūtādhipatiḥ: lord of beings
• bhūtādhipatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + adhipati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'bhūtānām adhipatiḥ'

• avyayaḥ: imperishable
• avyayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying the subject

Speaker

Narrator (describing Śiva as he begins to speak)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Bhutas

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling Śiva “avyaya” (imperishable) and “bhūtādhipati” (lord of beings), the verse points to a transcendent, deathless principle that governs all embodied existence—an Atman/Iśvara-like reality beyond change.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse identifies the speaker as “mahāyogī,” framing the forthcoming teaching as grounded in yogic authority—typical of Purāṇic Pāśupata-oriented instruction where mastery of yoga underwrites spiritual counsel and dharma.

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

Though this line names Śiva explicitly (bull-vehicle, lord of beings), Kurma Purana’s broader approach often presents Śiva and Viṣṇu in a complementary, harmonized theological frame—one supreme reality expressed through distinct divine functions.