Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

Svāyambhuva Lineage to Dakṣa; Pṛthu’s Devotion; Pāśupata Saṃnyāsa; Dakṣa–Satī Episode

Devanagari script

रिपुं रिपुञ्जयं विप्रं वृकलं वृषतेजसम् / नारायणपरान् शुद्धान् स्वधर्मपरिपालकान्

Transliteration

ripuṃ ripuñjayaṃ vipraṃ vṛkalaṃ vṛṣatejasam / nārāyaṇaparān śuddhān svadharmaparipālakān

Translation

他是摧伏怨敌者；为婆罗门圣仙，能胜诸敌众；如狼般凛烈，具公牛般炽盛光威。然而其心清净：专注归依那罗延那，坚定守护自身之法（达摩）。

Word by Word

• ripum: Ripu (name)
• ripum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ripu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ripuñjayam: Ripuñjaya (name)
• ripuñjayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ripuñjaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); name; (ripu + jaya, तत्पुरुष)

• vipram: Vipra (name / a brāhmaṇa)
• vipram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vṛkalam: Vṛkala (name)
• vṛkalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛkala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vṛṣatejasam: Vṛṣatejas (name; 'mighty in splendor')
• vṛṣatejasam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣa + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीyaa), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: 'whose vigor is like a bull/strong'

• nārāyaṇaparān: devoted to Nārāyaṇa
• nārāyaṇaparān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nārāyaṇa + para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समास: नारायणः परः येषाम् / नारायणपर (तत्पुरुष)

• śuddhān: pure
• śuddhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• svadharmaparipālakān: maintainers of their own duty
• svadharmaparipālakān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva + dharma + paripālaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समास: स्वधर्मस्य परिपालक (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic voice, traditionally through Sūta/primary reciter) describing the qualities of Nārāyaṇa-devoted dharma-protectors

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Narayana

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By praising those who are “nārayana-parāḥ” and “śuddhāḥ,” the verse implies that inner purity and single-pointed orientation to the Supreme (Nārāyaṇa) are the marks of one aligned with the highest reality—strength is outward, but the true spiritual identity is defined by purity and God-centeredness.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is named; the verse highlights the yogic prerequisites: śuddhi (purity) and dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in one’s duties). In Kurma Purana’s broader yoga ethic (including Pāśupata-oriented discipline), such foundations stabilize mind and conduct before higher meditation.

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

Though Nārāyaṇa is explicitly named, the Kurma Purana’s synthesis frames devotion and dharma as shared spiritual ground across sectarian lines—inner purity and duty-based discipline are presented as universally authoritative, aligning with the text’s broader Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony.