Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 50

Kapālamocana: The Cutting of Brahmā’s Fifth Head, Śiva’s Kāpālika Vow, and Purification in Vārāṇasī

Devanagari script

लब्ध्वा माहेश्वरीं दिव्यां संस्मृतिं भगवानजः / तोषयामास वरदं सोमं सोमविभूषणम्

Transliteration

labdhvā māheśvarīṃ divyāṃ saṃsmṛtiṃ bhagavānajaḥ / toṣayāmāsa varadaṃ somaṃ somavibhūṣaṇam

Translation

Khi đã phục hồi ký ức thiêng liêng do Maheśvara ban, Đấng Vô Sinh liền làm hài lòng Soma—bậc ban ân—đấng được trang nghiêm bằng vầng Trăng.

Word by Word

• labdhvā: having obtained
• labdhvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √labh (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), from √labh; indeclinable verbal form (क्रियाविशेषणभाव)

• māheśvarīm: Maheśvara-related, divine (f.)
• māheśvarīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: māheśvarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying saṃsmṛtim

• divyām: divine, celestial (f.)
• divyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; adjective qualifying saṃsmṛtim

• saṃsmṛtim: recollection, remembrance
• saṃsmṛtim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃsmṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ajaḥ: Aja (the Unborn/Brahmā)
• ajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; apposition to bhagavān

• toṣayāmāsa: propitiated, pleased
• toṣayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tuṣ (धातु) [Causative: toṣayati]
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); causative stem toṣaya-

• varadam: boon-giving
• varadam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; adjective qualifying somam

• somam: Soma (Moon-god)
• somam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: soma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• somavibhūṣaṇam: (one who is) Soma’s ornament
• somavibhūṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: soma (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'somasya vibhūṣaṇam'

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator, traditionally Sūta/Vyāsa lineage) describing the event

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Soma (Moon-deity)
• Aja (the Unborn Lord)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling the Lord “aja” (unborn) and linking awakening to “divine remembrance,” the verse implies the Self is deathless and realized through grace-assisted recollection of one’s true nature.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The key motif is saṃsmṛti—restored inner recollection—suggesting dhyāna supported by īśvara-anugraha (divine favor). In the Kurma Purana’s spirit, such remembrance ripens through devotion, worship, and disciplined contemplation.

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

It presents a complementary theology: Maheśvara’s divine gift (māheśvarī saṃsmṛti) empowers the Lord’s action, reflecting the Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony rather than rivalry.