Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 37

Prākṛta-pralaya, Pratisarga Doctrine, and the Ishvara-Samanvaya of Yoga and Devotion

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मविष्णवग्निवरुणाः सर्वे देवास्तथर्षयः / एकस्यैवाथ रुद्रस्य भेदास्ते परिकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

brahmaviṣṇavagnivaruṇāḥ sarve devāstatharṣayaḥ / ekasyaivātha rudrasya bhedāste parikīrtitāḥ

Translation

Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Agni, Varuṇa—hết thảy chư thiên, cùng các bậc ṛṣi—đều được tuyên xưng chỉ là những biểu hiện sai biệt của một Rudra duy nhất.

Word by Word

• brahma-viṣṇu-agni-varuṇāḥ: Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Agni, and Varuṇa
• brahma-viṣṇu-agni-varuṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + agni (प्रातिपदिक) + varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• devāḥ: gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• tathā: and also
• tathā: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conj./adverb: 'also/and so')

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages
• ṛṣayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ekasya: of one (single)
• ekasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphatic particle)

• atha: then/and
• atha: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conj./particle)

• rudrasya: of Rudra
• rudrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• bhedāḥ: differences/forms
• bhedāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• te: those
• te: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• parikīrtitāḥ: have been proclaimed/described
• parikīrtitāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-kīrt (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्तः क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मणि भावः (having been proclaimed)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching the sages (Ishvara-centered doctrine with Shaiva emphasis)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Agni
• Varuna
• Rishis

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents a single supreme Lord (Rudra/Iśvara) as the underlying unity behind many divine names and functions, implying one reality appearing as multiple forms.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse supports Iśvara-bhāvanā (contemplation of one Lord) central to Pāśupata-oriented devotion and meditation: seeing all divine powers as expressions of the one Rudra to steady concentration and surrender.

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

It affirms a non-competitive unity: even Viṣṇu is counted among the manifestations, emphasizing a Kurma Purana style synthesis where sectarian names denote one supreme Iśvara.