Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 71

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

Iśvara-Gītā Prelude

Devanagari script

नमस्ते वासुदेवाय विष्णवे विश्वयोनये / आदिमध्यान्तहीनाय ज्ञानगम्याय ते नमः

Transliteration

namaste vāsudevāya viṣṇave viśvayonaye / ādimadhyāntahīnāya jñānagamyāya te namaḥ

Translation

顶礼于您，婆苏提婆——毗湿奴，宇宙之胎藏与本源。顶礼于您，无始无中无终，唯以真实智慧方可证达者。

Word by Word

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; नमस्कारार्थक-निपात (salutation particle)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; enclitic form

• वासुदेवाय: to Vāsudeva
• वासुदेवाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• विष्णवे: to Viṣṇu
• विष्णवे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• विश्वयोनये: to the source of the universe
• विश्वयोनये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व + योनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विश्वस्य योनि: = source of the universe)

• आदि-मध्य-अन्त-हीनाय: to the one without beginning, middle, or end
• आदि-मध्य-अन्त-हीनाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आदि + मध्य + अन्त + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; समाहार/द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपदसमूह + तत्पुरुष (आदि-मध्य-अन्तैः हीनः)

• ज्ञान-गम्याय: to the one knowable through knowledge
• ज्ञान-गम्याय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञान + गम्य (गम् धातु, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; गम्य = तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (fit to be reached/known); तत्पुरुष (ज्ञानेन गम्यः)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; enclitic form

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; नमस्कारार्थक-निपात

Speaker

Sages (invocatory praise addressed to Lord Vāsudeva/Viṣṇu as Īśvara)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vasudeva
• Vishnu

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as limitless and timeless—without beginning, middle, or end—implying an absolute reality beyond change, knowable through direct spiritual knowledge (jñāna) rather than mere ritual or speculation.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes jñāna as the primary means—pointing to contemplative discernment, inner purification, and meditative realization of Īśvara as the all-pervading source (viśvayoni), consistent with the Kurma Purana’s yoga-oriented teaching style.

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

By defining the Supreme through transcendental attributes (beginningless, endless, known by jñāna), it supports the Purana’s non-sectarian approach where the highest Īśvara can be praised as Viṣṇu while remaining compatible with Shaiva-Pāśupata philosophical language.