Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti

Devanagari script

एवं मया महामाया प्रेरिता हरिवल्लभा / यथादेशं चकारासौ तस्माल्लक्ष्मीं समर्चयेत्

Transliteration

evaṃ mayā mahāmāyā preritā harivallabhā / yathādeśaṃ cakārāsau tasmāllakṣmīṃ samarcayet

Translation

Như vậy, được Ta thúc đẩy, Đại Māyā—người yêu dấu của Hari—đã làm đúng như lời chỉ dạy. Vì thế, hãy cung kính thờ phụng Lakṣmī (Śrī) cho đúng pháp.

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: none
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (एवम्)
• Form: Adverb

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Karta (Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद्)
• Form: Instrumental (Tritiya), Singular

• mahāmāyā: the great illusion (Mahamaya)
• mahāmāyā: Karma (Object in passive construction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahāmāyā (महामाया)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Singular

• preritā: impelled/instructed
• preritā: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prerita (प्रेरित)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Singular; Past Passive Participle

• harivallabhā: beloved of Hari (Lakshmi)
• harivallabhā: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: harivallabhā (हरिवल्लभा)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Singular

• yathādeśam: according to the command
• yathādeśam: Kriya-visheshana (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathādeśam (यथादेशम्)
• Form: Adverbial Compound

• cakāra: did/performed
• cakāra: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• asau: she
• asau: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adas (अदस्)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Singular

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu (Reason)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Ablative used as adverb/conjunction

• lakṣmīm: Lakshmi
• lakṣmīm: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (लक्ष्मी)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Singular

• samarcayet: should worship
• samarcayet: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-arc (सम्-अर्च)
• Form: Vidhilin Lakara (Optative), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) speaking (narrative instruction to the listener, traditionally Indradyumna and/or sages)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Mahāmāyā
• Hari
• Lakṣmī (Śrī)

More Details (5 sections)

FAQs

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

It implies the Supreme (Hari) operates through Śakti (Mahāmāyā/Lakṣmī): the transcendent Lord remains sovereign, while divine power executes the cosmic and devotional order—hinting at a non-dual governance where Śakti is inseparable from the Lord.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to bhakti-yoga expressed as śrī-upāsanā (devotional worship of Lakṣmī) performed “according to instruction” (yathādeśam), emphasizing disciplined, scripturally guided practice as a means to receive prosperity, steadiness, and grace supportive of higher yoga.

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

Though explicitly Vaiṣṇava in diction (Hari–Lakṣmī), the theology aligns with Kurma Purana’s synthesis: the Lord’s supremacy is expressed through Śakti, a framework compatible with Śaiva thought where Śiva’s will acts through Śakti—supporting a unified, non-sectarian Purāṇic vision.