Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 36

Narmadā-māhātmya: Amarakāṇṭaka, Jāleśvara, Kapilā–Viśalyakaraṇī, and the Supreme Purifying Power of Darśana

Devanagari script

चन्द्रसूर्योपरागे तु गत्वा ह्यमरकण्टकम् / अश्वमेधाद् दशगुणं पुण्यमाप्नोति मानवः

Transliteration

candrasūryoparāge tu gatvā hyamarakaṇṭakam / aśvamedhād daśaguṇaṃ puṇyamāpnoti mānavaḥ

Translation

Nhưng vào lúc nguyệt thực hay nhật thực, nếu người đến Amarakantaka thì sẽ được công đức gấp mười lần công đức của lễ tế Aśvamedha.

Word by Word

• चन्द्र: moon
• चन्द्र: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; compound-member (पूर्वपद)

• सूर्य: sun
• सूर्य: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; compound-member (मध्यपद)

• उपरागे: at (the time of) an eclipse (of moon/sun)
• उपरागे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपराग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), एकवचन; locative; ‘at the eclipse’ (compound: चन्द्र-सूर्य + उपराग)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha/Avadhāraṇa (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; particle (निपात) ‘but/indeed’

• गत्वा: having gone
• गत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund) ‘having gone’

• हि: indeed, surely
• हि: Sambandha/Avadhāraṇa (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; particle (निपात) emphasizing statement

• अमरकण्टकम्: to Amarakaṇṭaka
• अमरकण्टकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमरकण्टक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; object of ‘गत्वा’ (destination)

• अश्वमेधात्: than the Aśvamedha sacrifice
• अश्वमेधात्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th case), एकवचन; ablative of comparison ‘than Aśvamedha’

• दशगुणम्: tenfold
• दशगुणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; numeral compound ‘tenfold’ qualifying पुण्यम्

• पुण्यम्: merit
• पुण्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; object of आप्नोति

• आप्नोति: attains
• आप्नोति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• मानवः: a human
• मानवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya to the sages)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Amarakantaka
• Chandra
• Surya
• Ashvamedha

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It does not define the Ātman directly; it teaches that sacred time (grahaṇa) and sacred space (Amarakantaka) can intensify purification (puṇya), preparing the seeker for higher knowledge emphasized elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights a vrata-oriented discipline: choosing an auspicious liminal time (eclipse) and undertaking tirtha-yātrā. In the Kurma Purana’s broader yogic ethic, such observances support inner purification that complements mantra, japa, and contemplative practice.

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

Indirectly: by elevating Amarakantaka’s tirtha-power above Vedic sacrifice, it reflects the Purana’s integrated path where devotion and sacred geography—shared across Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions—serve as potent means for spiritual uplift.