Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 12

Yati-Āśrama: Bhikṣā-vidhi, Īśvara-dhyāna, and Prāyaścitta

Mahādeva as Non-dual Brahman

Devanagari script

सर्वस्याधारभूतानामानन्दं ज्योतिरव्ययम् / प्रधानपुरुषातीतमाकाशं दहनं शिवम्

Transliteration

sarvasyādhārabhūtānāmānandaṃ jyotiravyayam / pradhānapuruṣātītamākāśaṃ dahanaṃ śivam

Translation

Ngài là Ánh Sáng bất hoại, an lạc, nền tảng của mọi chỗ nương tựa. Vượt ngoài cả Pradhāna (Tự Tánh nguyên sơ) và Puruṣa, Ngài là Hư Không thấm khắp và là Ngọn Lửa thiêu dung—Śiva, Đấng Cát Tường Tối Thượng.

Word by Word

• sarvasya: of all
• sarvasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; ‘of all/of everything’

• ādhāra-bhūtānām: of those that are supports
• ādhāra-bhūtānām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आधार (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: आधाररूपेण भूताः (those who are supports)

• ānandam: bliss
• ānandam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आनन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ध्यान-विषय (object)

• jyotiḥ: light
• jyotiḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (form identical to nominative); समानााधिकरणे ध्यान-विषय

• avyayam: imperishable
• avyayam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (imperishable)

• pradhāna-puruṣa-atītam: transcending Pradhāna and Puruṣa
• pradhāna-puruṣa-atītam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रधान (प्रातिपदिक) + पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक) + अतीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: प्रधानं च पुरुषं च अतीतम् (beyond Pradhāna and Puruṣa)

• ākāśam: ether/space
• ākāśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• dahanam: fire, burning principle
• dahanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• śivam: auspicious; Śiva
• śivam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (auspicious/Śiva)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching the sages (Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Pradhana
• Purusha
• Akasha
• Agni (Dahana)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It portrays the Supreme as imperishable Light and Bliss, the underlying foundation of all supports, and as beyond both Pradhāna (Nature) and Puruṣa—indicating a transcendent reality that is not limited by Sāṅkhya categories.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The imagery of “jyotis” (inner light) and “dahana” (purifying fire) supports contemplative practice: meditate on the Lord as all-pervading space and as the inner transformative fire that burns impurities—an orientation aligned with Pāśupata-style devotion and inner purification.

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

With Vishnu (as Lord Kūrma) describing the Supreme as “Śiva,” the verse reflects the Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the highest reality is one, praised through Śaiva language while upheld within a Vaiṣṇava narration.