Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

Invocation, Purāṇa Lakṣaṇas, Kurma at the Samudra-manthana, and Indradyumna’s Liberation Teaching

Iśvara-Gītā Prelude

Devanagari script

सोर्ऽचयामास भूतानामाश्रयं परमेश्वरम् / व्रतोपवासनियमैर्हेमैर्ब्राह्मणतर्पणैः

Transliteration

sor'cayāmāsa bhūtānāmāśrayaṃ parameśvaram / vratopavāsaniyamairhemairbrāhmaṇatarpaṇaiḥ

Translation

他以誓愿、斋戒与清净戒律，礼敬至上主宰——一切众生之归依；又以黄金供养，并以令婆罗门欢喜受敬之行而奉事。

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• अर्चयामास: worshipped
• अर्चयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु) + यामास (सहायक-क्रिया)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्शभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative nuance not intended here (simple perfect periphrastic)

• भूतानाम्: of beings
• भूतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• आश्रयम्: refuge, support
• आश्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• परमेश्वरम्: the Supreme Lord
• परमेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (परमः ईश्वरः)

• व्रत: vow
• व्रत: —
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समास-पूर्वपद (in compound)

• उपवास: fasting
• उपवास: —
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; समास-पूर्वपद (in compound)

• नियमैः: by disciplines/observances
• नियमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• व्रतोपवासनियमैः: by vows, fasts, and observances
• व्रतोपवासनियमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत + उपवास + नियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (व्रताश्च उपवासाश्च नियमाश्च)

• हेमैः: with golden (offerings)
• हेमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying brāhmaṇa-tarpaṇaiḥ)

• ब्राह्मणतर्पणैः: by offerings that satisfy Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणतर्पणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण + तर्पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्राह्मणानां तर्पणम्)

Speaker

Sūta (traditional narrator) describing the devotee’s discipline and worship within the Purana’s opening narrative frame

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Parameśvara
• Brāhmaṇas

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It points to the Supreme as the universal “āśraya” (refuge/support) of all beings—implying an all-pervading, sustaining reality approached through reverent discipline rather than mere speculation.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes preparatory yogic disciplines—vrata (vowed observances), upavāsa (fasting), and niyama (ethical restraints)—which purify intention and stabilize the mind for higher devotion and contemplative practice.

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

By using the inclusive title “Parameśvara” for the Supreme refuge of all beings, the verse supports the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where the highest Lord is approached through shared dharma—devotion, restraint, and sacred giving—bridging Shaiva and Vaishnava modes of worship.