Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 13

Rudra’s Cosmic Dance and the Recognition of Rudra–Nārāyaṇa Unity (Īśvara-gītā Continuation)

Devanagari script

पिनाकिनं विशालाक्षं भेषजं भवरोगिणाम् / कालात्मानं कालकालं देवदेवं महेश्वरम्

Transliteration

pinākinaṃ viśālākṣaṃ bheṣajaṃ bhavarogiṇām / kālātmānaṃ kālakālaṃ devadevaṃ maheśvaram

Translation

میں مہیشور کو نمسکار کرتا ہوں—پیناک دھاری، وسیع چشم؛ بھَو روگ میں مبتلا لوگوں کے لیے شفا؛ جو خود زمانہ ہے، زمانے کا بھی قاتل (کال کا کال)، اور دیوتاؤں کا دیوتا۔

Word by Word

• pinākinam: the bearer of the bow Pināka
• pinākinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pinākin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• viśāla-akṣam: wide-eyed
• viśāla-akṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśāla + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; कर्मधारयः (‘wide’ + ‘eyed’)

• bheṣajam: medicine
• bheṣajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bheṣaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• bhava-rogiṇām: of those afflicted by worldly existence
• bhava-rogiṇām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhava + rogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (bhavasya rogiṇaḥ = ‘those sick with worldly existence’)

• kāla-ātmānam: whose essence is Time
• kāla-ātmānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (‘whose self is Time’ / ‘Time as his essence’)

• kāla-kālam: the destroyer of Time
• kāla-kālam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla + kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; कर्मधारयः (‘the Time of time’ = destroyer of Time)

• deva-devam: god of gods
• deva-devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (devānāṃ devaḥ = ‘god of gods’)

• maheśvaram: the Great Lord
• maheśvaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

Speaker

A sage/narrator offering a stuti (hymn) to Śiva within the Purva-bhāga narrative frame

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara
• Pinaka

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling Śiva “Time itself” and also “the conqueror of Time,” the verse points to a transcendent reality that both pervades cosmic processes and stands beyond them—suggesting the Supreme as immanent in change yet untouched by it.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse frames liberation as healing from “bhava-roga” (the sickness of saṃsāra). In Pāśupata-oriented reading, this implies devotion, contemplation, and surrender to Mahēśvara as the curative discipline that removes bondage and fear of time/death.

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

In the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology, such praise of Śiva as supreme medicine and lord of time aligns with the broader Shaiva–Vaishnava unity motif: the highest Lord is approached through different divine forms without denying ultimate oneness.