Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

Brahmā’s Lotus-Birth, the Sealing of the Cosmic Womb, and the Epiphany of Parameśvara

Hari–Hara Samanvaya

Devanagari script

कथं स भगवानीशः पूर्वजो ऽपि पिनाकधृक् / पुत्रत्वमगच्छंभुर्ब्रह्मणो ऽव्यक्तजन्मनः

Transliteration

kathaṃ sa bhagavānīśaḥ pūrvajo 'pi pinākadhṛk / putratvamagacchaṃbhurbrahmaṇo 'vyaktajanmanaḥ

Translation

پیناک دھاری بھگوان ایش شَمبھو، جو سب سے پہلے اور ازلی ہیں، وہ غیر ظاہر (اویَکت) جنم والے برہما کے بیٹے کیسے کہلائے؟

Word by Word

• katham: how
• katham: Prakāra (प्रकार/manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: katham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रश्नार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (interrogative adverb)

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/title)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन

• īśaḥ: the Lord
• īśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन

• pūrvajaḥ: earlier-born
• pūrvajaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrva + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (pūrvaja = earlier-born/elder)

• api: even/although
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (concessive particle)

• pināka-dhṛk: bearer of the Pināka (bow)
• pināka-dhṛk: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pināka + dhṛ (धातु; धृ + क्विप्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; कृदन्त (धृ-धातोः क्विप्: dhṛk = bearer); तत्पुरुष-समास (pināka-dhṛk = bearer of Pināka bow)

• putratvam: sonship
• putratvam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putratva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन

• agacchat: attained/went to
• agacchat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past/लङ्); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• śambhuḥ: Śambhu (Śiva)
• śambhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śambhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā
• brahmaṇaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति; एकवचन

• avyakta-janmanaḥ: of unmanifest birth
• avyakta-janmanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyakta + janman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति; एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (avyakta-janman = whose birth is unmanifest)

Speaker

A questioning sage/narrator (inquiry within the Purva-bhaga dialogue framework)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Isha
• Shambhu
• Shiva
• Pinaka
• Brahma

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames a classic Purāṇic paradox: the Lord can be described as “primordial” yet also appear within creation as a ‘son.’ This points to a distinction between the transcendent Īśvara (beyond origin) and the manifest role assumed within cosmic order.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific practice is prescribed in this verse; instead it sets up metaphysical inquiry (tattva-vicāra). In the Kurma Purana’s broader teaching style, such inquiry supports yoga by clarifying how the one Lord can manifest through different cosmic functions.

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

By calling Śiva “Bhagavān” and “Īśa,” the verse treats him as supreme in essence, consistent with the Kurma Purana’s synthetic approach where sectarian roles differ but ultimate divinity is one—manifesting as multiple forms for creation and guidance.