Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

Meru-Topography: Cities of Brahmā and the Dikpālas; Descent of Gaṅgā; Varṣa-Lotus and Boundary Mountains

Devanagari script

तत्रास्ते भगवान् ब्रह्मा विश्वात्मा विश्वभावनः / उपास्यमानो योगीन्द्रैर्मुनीन्द्रोपेन्द्रशङ्करैः

Transliteration

tatrāste bhagavān brahmā viśvātmā viśvabhāvanaḥ / upāsyamāno yogīndrairmunīndropendraśaṅkaraiḥ

Translation

وہاں بھگوان برہما—جو کائنات کی آتما اور کائنات کے پالنہار و مُوجد ہیں—جلوہ فرما ہیں؛ یوگیندروں، مُنیندروں، اُپیندر (اِندر) اور شنکر (شیو) کے ہاتھوں وہ ادب و بھکتی سے پوجے جاتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• आस्ते: sits, remains
• आस्ते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग

• विश्व-आत्मा: universal self
• विश्व-आत्मा: Visheshana (विशेषण of ब्रह्मा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; बहुव्रीहि-समासः: whose self is the universe / the universal self

• विश्व-भावनः: creator/sustainer of the world
• विश्व-भावनः: Visheshana (विशेषण of ब्रह्मा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; तत्पुरुष-समासः: one who causes/produces the world

• उपास्यमानः: being worshipped
• उपास्यमानः: Visheshana (विशेषण of ब्रह्मा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-आस् (धातु) + शानच् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि-प्रयोगे शानच्-प्रत्यय (Present passive participle): ‘being worshipped’; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग

• योगीन्द्रैः: by the lords of yogins
• योगीन्द्रैः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगीन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग

• मुनि-इन्द्र-उपेन्द्र-शङ्करैः: by the sage-lords, Upendra, and Śaṅkara
• मुनि-इन्द्र-उपेन्द्र-शङ्करैः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उपेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + शङ्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; द्वन्द्व-समासः (copulative): by the sage-lords, Upendra (Viṣṇu), and Śaṅkara (Śiva)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration, traditionally through Vyāsa/Sūta framework; verse describes the scene rather than direct speech)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Indra
• Shankara (Shiva)
• Yogindras
• Munindras

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling Brahmā “viśvātmā,” the verse presents a cosmic-self perspective: the creator is portrayed as embodying the universe’s life-principle, pointing to an Upaniṣadic-style vision where the divine is immanent in the cosmos.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes upāsanā—reverential contemplation and worship—performed by “yogīndras,” suggesting that mature yogic attainment culminates not only in technique but in disciplined devotion and recognition of divine order.

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

By placing Śaṅkara among those who honor Brahmā, the text models a non-sectarian hierarchy where major deities participate in mutual reverence—supporting the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva–Vaishnava harmonization rather than rivalry.