Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 2

Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Discipline of Pilgrimage (Tīrtha-sevā) within Prāyaścitta

Devanagari script

त्रिरात्रोपोषितस्तत्र पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम् / सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा रुद्रलोके महीयते

Transliteration

trirātropoṣitastatra pūjayitvā maheśvaram / sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā rudraloke mahīyate

Translation

Ai giữ trai giới ba đêm tại đó và phụng thờ Maheśvara, thì nội tâm được gột sạch mọi tội lỗi, được tôn vinh và đạt địa vị cao quý trong cõi Rudra.

Word by Word

• trirātra-upoṣitaḥ: having fasted for three nights
• trirātra-upoṣitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri-rātra + upoṣita (उपवस् धातु-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त/क्तः), ‘having fasted’; विशेषण (सः)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• pūjayitvā: having worshipped
• pūjayitvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pūj (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having worshipped’

• maheśvaram: Maheśvara (Śiva)
• maheśvaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्म

• sarvapāpa-viśuddha-ātmā: one whose soul is purified of all sins
• sarvapāpa-viśuddha-ātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva-pāpa + viśuddha + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि—‘whose self is purified of all sins’; विशेषण (सः)

• rudraloke: in Rudra’s world
• rudraloke: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra-loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• mahīyate: is honored/glorified
• mahīyate: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: mah (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि/भावे-प्रयोग ‘is honored’

Speaker

Traditional Purāṇic narrator (Vyāsa/Sūta-style narrative voice) describing the फलश्रुति (result) of Śiva-upāsanā within the Kurma Purana’s Purva-bhāga teachings

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Maheshvara (Shiva/Rudra)
• Rudraloka

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the ātman as ethically and ritually transformable: through disciplined restraint (upavāsa) and devotion (pūjā), the inner self becomes viśuddha—cleansed of pāpa—indicating purification as a prerequisite for higher states and realms.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights tapas-oriented discipline: a trirātra-upavāsa (three-night fast/vigil) combined with īśvara-upāsanā (worship of Maheśvara). This aligns with Pāśupata-leaning practice where self-restraint, purity, and devotion function as preparatory limbs for higher realization.

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

By placing liberation-oriented merit in Maheśvara-bhakti within the Kurma Purana’s broader theology, it supports the Purāṇa’s synthesis: devotion to Rudra is affirmed as a valid supreme path, harmonizing Śaiva practice within a Vaiṣṇava (Kūrma/Vishnu) scriptural frame.