Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

शाश्वतैश्वर्यविभवं धर्माधारं दुरासदम् / महेन्द्रोपेन्द्रनमितं महर्षिगणवन्दितम्

Transliteration

śāśvataiśvaryavibhavaṃ dharmādhāraṃ durāsadam / mahendropendranamitaṃ maharṣigaṇavanditam

Translation

جس کی شان ابدی اقتدار و سلطنت کی تجلی ہے، وہی دھرم کا سہارا اور ناقابلِ رسائی ہے؛ جسے مہندر (اِندر) اور اُپیندر (وشنو) سجدہ کرتے ہیں، اور جس کی تعظیم مہارشیوں کے گروہ کرتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• śāśvata-aiśvarya-vibhavam: possessing the splendour of eternal lordship
• śāśvata-aiśvarya-vibhavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāśvata + aiśvarya + vibhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (śāśvatasyaiśvaryasya vibhavaḥ = ‘splendour of eternal sovereignty’)

• dharma-ādhāram: support of dharma
• dharma-ādhāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma + ādhāra (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (dharmasya ādhāraḥ = ‘support of dharma’)

• durāsadam: hard to approach
• durāsadam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durāsada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• mahendra-upendra-namitam: bowed to by Mahendra and Upendra
• mahendra-upendra-namitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahendra + upendra + namita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative masculine singular; Past passive participle (कर्मणि क्त), ‘namita’ from √nam (धातु); पूर्वपद-द्वन्द्वः (mahendra-upendra) meaning ‘by Mahendra and Upendra’

• maharṣi-gaṇa-vanditam: praised by the hosts of great sages
• maharṣi-gaṇa-vanditam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: maharṣi + gaṇa + vandita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative masculine singular; Past passive participle (कर्मणि क्त), ‘vandita’ from √vand (धातु); तत्पुरुषः (maharṣīṇāṃ gaṇena vanditam = ‘praised by the group of great seers’)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) presenting a devotional eulogy within the Kurma Purana’s opening discourse

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Mahendra (Indra)
• Upendra (Vishnu)
• Maharshis (great sages)
• Dharma

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as the eternal seat of sovereignty and the sustaining ground of Dharma—an unassailable, transcendent Lord revered by gods and sages, implying an Atman/Ishvara beyond ordinary reach yet foundational to cosmic order.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is enumerated; the verse emphasizes stuti (devotional contemplation) and dharma-oriented reverence—core preparatory attitudes that the Kurma Purana later aligns with disciplined Yoga (including Pashupata-oriented restraint and devotion to Ishvara).

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

By praising a single supreme, unassailable foundation of Dharma who is honored by the gods (including Upendra/Vishnu), it supports the Purana’s integrative theology where the highest Ishvara is approached through complementary Shaiva and Vaishnava idioms rather than sectarian opposition.