Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 142

Devī-tattva, Śakti–Śaktimān doctrine, Kāla–Māyā cosmology, and Māheśvara Yoga instruction

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मश्रीर्ब्रह्महृदया ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवप्रिया / व्योमशक्तिः क्रियाशक्तिर्ज्ञानशक्तिः परागतिः

Transliteration

brahmaśrīrbrahmahṛdayā brahmaviṣṇuśivapriyā / vyomaśaktiḥ kriyāśaktirjñānaśaktiḥ parāgatiḥ

Translation

她是梵（Brahman）的吉祥光辉与瑞相，是梵之心髓，同为梵天（Brahmā）、毗湿奴（Viṣṇu）与湿婆（Śiva）所爱敬。她是遍满虚空之力，是行力、智力，并是至上归趣。

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मश्रीः: the splendor/prosperity of Brahman
• ब्रह्मश्रीः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्-श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणः श्रीः)

• ब्रह्महृदया: whose heart is Brahman / Brahman-hearted
• ब्रह्महृदया: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन्-हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीह्यर्थे षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-प्रायः (ब्रह्म हृदयं यस्याः) विशेषणम्

• ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवप्रिया: beloved of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva
• ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवप्रिया: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन्-विष्णु-शिव-प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवानां प्रिया)

• व्योमशक्तिः: the power of the sky/space
• व्योमशक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्योम-शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (व्योमस्य शक्ति)

• क्रियाशक्तिः: power of action
• क्रियाशक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया-शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (क्रियायाः शक्ति)

• ज्ञानशक्तिः: power of knowledge
• ज्ञानशक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान-शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (ज्ञानस्य शक्ति)

• परागतिः: supreme goal/destination
• परागतिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परा-गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (परा च सा गतिः)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching in the Ishvara Gita context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahman
• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Shiva
• Shakti

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By describing the Supreme as the very “heart of Brahman” and as the “supreme goal,” the verse points to the ultimate reality as the innermost essence that is realized as moksha—beyond sectarian limitation, yet present as the core of consciousness.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds śakti as jñāna-śakti and kriyā-śakti—suggesting the Ishvara Gita’s integrated path where insight (jñāna) and disciplined practice/observance (kriyā: mantra, worship, yogic discipline) cooperate toward the highest attainment (parā-gati).

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

By calling the same Supreme Power “beloved of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva,” it frames the Trimūrti as harmonized within one transcendent principle—supporting the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis rather than rivalry.