Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 2

Commencement of the Upari-bhāga: The Sages Request Brahma-vidyā; Vyāsa Recalls the Badarikā Inquiry and Śiva–Viṣṇu Theophany

Devanagari script

तत्रेश्वरेश्वरो देवो वर्णिभिर्धर्मतत्परैः / ज्ञानयोगरतैर्नित्यमाराध्यः कथितस्त्वया

Transliteration

tatreśvareśvaro devo varṇibhirdharmatatparaiḥ / jñānayogaratairnityamārādhyaḥ kathitastvayā

Translation

Tại đó, ngài đã tuyên dạy rằng vị Thần—Đấng Chúa Tể của mọi chúa tể—phải được phụng thờ không ngừng bởi những người thuộc bốn varṇa chuyên tâm nơi dharma, và bởi những ai hằng an trú trong Jñāna-yoga (Yoga của trí tuệ).

Word by Word

• tatra: therein
• tatra: Deśa/adhikaraṇa (देश/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (place/context)

• īśvara-īśvaraḥ: the Lord of lords
• īśvara-īśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśvara + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; ‘lord of lords’

• devaḥ: the god
• devaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; apposition to īśvareśvaraḥ

• varṇibhiḥ: by the brahmacārins (students)
• varṇibhiḥ: Karana (करण/agent-instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• dharma-tatparaiḥ: devoted to dharma
• dharma-tatparaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; agrees with varṇibhiḥ

• jñāna-yoga-rataiḥ: engaged in jñāna-yoga
• jñāna-yoga-rataiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñāna + yoga + rata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; agrees with varṇibhiḥ

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nityam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (time/frequency)

• ārādhyaḥ: to be worshipped
• ārādhyaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/vidhi)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + rādh (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive/obligatory participle (तव्यत्/यत्), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate of devaḥ

• kathitaḥ: was described
• kathitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kath (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate

• tvayā: by you
• tvayā: Karana (करण/agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

Speaker

King Indradyumna (addressing Lord Kūrma/Vishnu in the Īśvara-gītā dialogue frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Īśvara (Supreme Lord)
• Varṇa (Varnāśrama framework)
• Dharma
• Jñāna-yoga

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling the deity “Īśvara of Īśvaras,” the verse points to a single supreme principle worthy of constant worship—implying an ultimate Lord who stands above all subordinate divine powers and is approached through dharma and jñāna.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds jñāna-yoga—steady engagement in liberating knowledge and contemplation—alongside continual ārādhanā (disciplined worship), integrating inner realization with devotional practice in the Kurma Purana’s Īśvara-gītā ethos.

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

By emphasizing one “Lord of lords” approached through dharma and jñāna, the verse supports the Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the supreme Īśvara may be praised through Shaiva (Pāśupata-leaning) idiom while remaining fully compatible with Vaiṣṇava devotion (as taught by Lord Kūrma).