Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 12

Kapālamocana: The Cutting of Brahmā’s Fifth Head, Śiva’s Kāpālika Vow, and Purification in Vārāṇasī

Devanagari script

अन्वीक्ष्य देवं ब्रह्माणं यज्ञात्मानं च संस्थितम् / प्रोचुः संविग्नहृदया याथात्म्यं परमेष्ठिनः

Transliteration

anvīkṣya devaṃ brahmāṇaṃ yajñātmānaṃ ca saṃsthitam / procuḥ saṃvignahṛdayā yāthātmyaṃ parameṣṭhinaḥ

Translation

دیو برہما کو—جو یَجْن-آتما کے طور پر ثابت و قائم تھے—غور سے دیکھ کر، ویدوں نے ادب و خوفِ عقیدت سے مضطرب دلوں کے ساتھ پرمیشٹھِن کی حقیقت بیان کی۔

Word by Word

• अन्वीक्ष्य: having observed
• अन्वीक्ष्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्वीक्ष्य (कृदन्त; √ईक्ष् धातु, अनु-उपसर्ग)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive)

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया (Accusative Singular)

• ब्रह्माणम्: Brahmā
• ब्रह्माणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया (Accusative Singular)

• यज्ञ-आत्मानम्: whose essence is sacrifice
• यज्ञ-आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी: ‘यज्ञस्य आत्मा’); पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया (Accusative Singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• संस्थितम्: standing/established
• संस्थितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संस्थित (कृदन्त; √स्था धातु, सम्-उपसर्ग)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया (Accusative Singular) — ‘देवं/ब्रह्माणम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• प्रोचुः: said/spoke
• प्रोचुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन (3rd person plural)

• संविग्न-हृदयाः: having anxious hearts
• संविग्न-हृदयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संविग्न (कृदन्त; √विज्/विज् धातु, सम्-उपसर्ग; ‘उद्विग्न’) + हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (‘संविग्नं हृदयं येषाम्’); पुंलिङ्ग, बहुवचन, प्रथमा (Nominative Plural)

• याथात्म्यम्: the true nature
• याथात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याथात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया (Accusative Singular)

• परमेष्ठिनः: of the Supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin)
• परमेष्ठिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेष्ठिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, षष्ठी (Genitive Singular)

Speaker

Sages (ṛṣis) addressing/declaring before Brahmā (Parameṣṭhin)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Yajna
• Parameshthin

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames the divine principle through the symbol of Yajña: Brahmā is seen as “yajñātmā,” indicating that cosmic order and sacred action are rooted in a single abiding spiritual essence.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes anvīkṣā—disciplined inquiry and attentive contemplation. This aligns with Purāṇic yogic method: steady observation, reverent focus, and truthful articulation of realized understanding.

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

By presenting divinity as the inner Self of Yajña rather than a sectarian form, it supports the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance where supreme reality can be approached through multiple divine expressions within one dharmic order.