Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

Mādhayameśvara-māhātmya — Vyāsa at Mandākinī and the Pāśupata Vision

Devanagari script

ततः शिष्यान् समाहूय भगवान् ब्रह्मवित्तमः / प्रोवाच मध्यमेशस्य माहात्म्यं पैलपूर्वकान्

Transliteration

tataḥ śiṣyān samāhūya bhagavān brahmavittamaḥ / provāca madhyameśasya māhātmyaṃ pailapūrvakān

Translation

Bấy giờ, Đấng Thế Tôn, bậc tối thượng tri Brahman, triệu tập các đệ tử—khởi đầu với Paila—và thuyết giảng cho họ về thánh đức, đại uy của Madhyameśa.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla/Anantarya (काल/अनन्तर्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya; sequence adverb

• शिष्यान्: disciples
• शिष्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• समाहूय: having called together
• समाहूय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√ह्वा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive), पूर्वकालिक; उपसर्ग: सम्-आ-

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• ब्रह्म-वित्तमः: the best knower of Brahman
• ब्रह्म-वित्तमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + वित्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘knower of Brahman’, superlative ‘best’

• प्रोवाच: said
• प्रोवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: प्र-

• मध्यम-ईशस्य: of Madhyameśa
• मध्यम-ईशस्य: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; समास: मध्यमः ईशः (the ‘Middle Lord’ as a name)

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness/glory
• माहात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• पैल-पूर्वकान्: headed by Paila
• पैल-पूर्वकान्: Viśeṣaṇa of शिष्यान् (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पैल (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; समास: पैलः पूर्वः येषां ते (headed by Paila)

Speaker

The narrator (Purāṇic voice) describing a Brahmavid-teacher addressing disciples led by Paila

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Madhyameśa (Śiva)
• Paila

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: by calling the teacher “brahmavittamaḥ,” it frames the forthcoming teaching as grounded in Brahman-realization, implying that true sacred instruction proceeds from direct knowledge of the Supreme Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is stated in this verse; it sets the pedagogical scene—an enlightened teacher convening disciples—typical of Purāṇic transmission that later supports disciplines like devotion (bhakti), vows, and Śaiva-oriented yogic observances in the Madhyameśa context.

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

By presenting a Brahman-knower expounding Śiva’s (Madhyameśa’s) glory within the Kurma Purana’s broader framework, it supports the text’s integrative stance: sectarian praise is anchored in Brahman-knowledge, aligning Śiva-devotion with a non-dual, Purāṇic unity.