Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 27

Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rudra’s Samanvaya Teaching

Maṅkaṇaka Episode

Devanagari script

तीर्थं नारायणस्यान्यन्नाम्ना तु पुरुषोत्तमम् / तत्र नारायणः श्रीमानास्ते परमपूरुषः

Transliteration

tīrthaṃ nārāyaṇasyānyannāmnā tu puruṣottamam / tatra nārāyaṇaḥ śrīmānāste paramapūruṣaḥ

Translation

Còn có một thánh địa (tīrtha) khác của Nārāyaṇa, mang danh “Puruṣottama”. Tại đó, Nārāyaṇa vinh quang ngự như Đấng Tối Thượng, Bậc Chí Nhân.

Word by Word

• tīrtham: sacred place; pilgrimage spot
• tīrtham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; nominative/accusative singular

• nārāyaṇasya: of Nārāyaṇa
• nārāyaṇasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), एकवचन; genitive singular

• anyat: another
• anyat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; nominative/accusative singular (qualifying tīrtham)

• nāmnā: by the name
• nāmnā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; instrumental singular

• tu: indeed; but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/पदपूरण (particle; contrast/emphasis)

• puruṣottamam: Puruṣottama (the Supreme Person)
• puruṣottamam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; accusative singular; समास: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद-तत्पुरुष (puruṣāṇām uttamaḥ)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• nārāyaṇaḥ: Nārāyaṇa
• nārāyaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; nominative singular

• śrīmān: glorious; endowed with Śrī
• śrīmān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; nominative singular (possessive adjective)

• āste: dwells; sits
• āste: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ās (आस् धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; parasmaipada; ‘sits/dwells’

• paramapūruṣaḥ: the Supreme Person
• paramapūruṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama + pūruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; nominative singular; समास: कर्मधारय (paramaḥ pūruṣaḥ)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) narrating to the sages (Kurma Purana dialogue frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narayana
• Purushottama
• Tirtha
• Shri (Lakshmi)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It identifies the Supreme reality as “Paramapuruṣa” (the Highest Person), indicating a personal, transcendent Absolute who can be approached through sacred presence (tīrtha) and devotion.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes tīrtha-upāsanā—pilgrimage and contemplative worship at a sanctified place—as a practical aid for bhakti and dhyāna, aligning outer discipline with inner recollection of the Supreme.

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

By presenting Nārāyaṇa as the Supreme Person within a Purāṇa known for Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis, it supports the non-sectarian view that the Supreme can be worshipped through multiple divine forms while remaining one reality.