Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

Kali-yuga Doṣas, the Supremacy of Rudra as Refuge, and the Closure of the Manvantara Teaching

Devanagari script

नाशयन्ति ह्यधीतानि नाधिगच्छन्ति चानघ / गायन्ति लौकिकैर्गानैर्दैवतानि नराधिप

Transliteration

nāśayanti hyadhītāni nādhigacchanti cānagha / gāyanti laukikairgānairdaivatāni narādhipa

Translation

اے بےگناہ! وہ پڑھی ہوئی بات کو بھی برباد کر دیتے ہیں اور حقیقت کا ادراک نہیں پاتے۔ اے نرادھپ! وہ صرف دنیاوی گیتوں سے دیوتاؤں کا گان کرتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• nāśayanti: they destroy
• nāśayanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: naś (धातु) + ṇic (प्रत्यय)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present/वर्तमान), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Bahuvacana (Plural/बहुवचन); Causative (णिजन्त)

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/हेतु-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta/particle (निपात)

• adhītāni: (things) studied; lessons
• adhītāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhi-√i (धातु) → adhīta (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP) used substantively; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• adhigacchanti: they attain/understand
• adhigacchanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: adhi-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present/वर्तमान), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• ca: and
• ca: Samucchaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• anagha: O sinless one
• anagha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anagha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• gāyanti: they sing
• gāyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gai (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• laukikaiḥ: with worldly
• laukikaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: laukika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying 'gānaiḥ'

• gānaiḥ: songs
• gānaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• daivatāni: the deities
• daivatāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daivata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• narādhipa: O king (lord of men)
• narādhipa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक) + adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: narāṇām adhipaḥ); Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) addressing King Indradyumna

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Deities (Daivata)
• King (Narādhipa)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It implies that mere learning and performance without inner realization does not lead to true attainment; knowledge must mature into direct understanding rather than remain as recited study.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points toward internalized sādhana—discipline that transforms understanding—rather than external display; in Kurma Purana’s yogic spirit, worship should be joined with contemplation, restraint, and genuine insight.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purana’s synthesis: whichever deity is worshipped, devotion must be inwardly grounded and knowledge-centered, not reduced to worldly entertainment—supporting a non-sectarian, realization-focused approach.