Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 16

Rudra’s Cosmic Dance and the Recognition of Rudra–Nārāyaṇa Unity (Īśvara-gītā Continuation)

Devanagari script

आधारं सर्वशक्तीनां महायोगेश्वरेश्वरम् / योगिनां परमं ब्रह्म योगिनां योगवन्दितम् / योगिनां हृदि तिष्ठन्तं योगमायासमावृतम्

Transliteration

ādhāraṃ sarvaśaktīnāṃ mahāyogeśvareśvaram / yogināṃ paramaṃ brahma yogināṃ yogavanditam / yogināṃ hṛdi tiṣṭhantaṃ yogamāyāsamāvṛtam

Translation

Ngài là nền tảng của mọi năng lực, là Chúa tể của các đại Du-gi và là bậc tối thượng của uy quyền Du-gi. Đối với các Du-gi, Ngài là Phạm (Brahman) tối thượng—được tôn thờ chính bằng Yoga. Ngự trong tim các Du-gi, Ngài vẫn được che phủ bởi Yogamāyā của chính mình.

Word by Word

• ādhāram: support, foundation
• ādhāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• sarvaśaktīnām: of all powers
• sarvaśaktīnām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva-śakti (प्रातिपदिक; सर्व + शक्ति)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine), Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti (Genitive/6th), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• mahāyogeśvara-īśvaram: the Lord of the Lord of great yogic lords (supreme overlord)
• mahāyogeśvara-īśvaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-yoga-īśvara-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक; महा + योग + ईश्वर + ईश्वर)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• yoginām: of yogins
• yoginām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti (Genitive/6th), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• paramam: supreme
• paramam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); viśeṣaṇa of ‘brahma’

• brahma: Brahman, the Absolute
• brahma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• yoginām: of yogins
• yoginām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/6th), Bahuvacana

• yogavanditam: praised by yogins
• yogavanditam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yoga-vandita (प्रातिपदिक; योग + वन्दित)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/ktá) from √vand (वन्द्, to praise) used adjectivally; Napuṃsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of ‘brahma/ādhāram’ (object described)

• yoginām: of yogins
• yoginām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/6th), Bahuvacana

• hṛdi: in the heart
• hṛdi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛd (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Saptamī vibhakti (Locative/7th), Ekavacana (Singular)

• tiṣṭhantam: abiding, standing
• tiṣṭhantam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/śatṛ) ‘tiṣṭhant’; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of the praised Brahman/Lord

• yogamāyā-samāvṛtam: covered/veiled by yogic māyā
• yogamāyā-samāvṛtam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yoga-māyā-sam-āvṛta (प्रातिपदिक; योग + माया + समावृत)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/ktá) from √vṛ (वृ, to cover) with sam-ā-; Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc/2nd), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching in the Ishvara Gita context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahman
• Yogamaya
• Yogins
• Ishvara (Yogeshvara)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It identifies the Supreme as Param Brahman—the inner foundation of all śaktis—yet present within the yogin’s heart, indicating an immanent Absolute that is realized through yogic insight rather than merely conceptual belief.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes yogic veneration: inner contemplation of the indwelling Lord (hṛdaya-sthita īśvara) and disciplined Yoga as a mode of worship, consistent with Kurma Purana’s Pashupata-leaning sādhanā where realization comes through meditation and mastery over the mind.

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

By presenting the Supreme as “Mahāyogeśvara” and “Param Brahman,” the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: the one Brahman adored by yogins is described with Yogeshvara language used for Shiva while spoken in a Vishnu (Kurma) revelation context—pointing to shared, non-dual supremacy.