Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 155

Dakṣa’s Progeny, Nṛsiṃha–Varāha Avatāras, and Andhaka’s Defeat

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

एष धाता विधाता च कारणं कार्यमेव च / कर्ता कारयिता विष्णुर्भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदः

Transliteration

eṣa dhātā vidhātā ca kāraṇaṃ kāryameva ca / kartā kārayitā viṣṇurbhuktimuktiphalapradaḥ

Translation

祂是维持者与安立者；既是因亦是果。毗湿奴既为行者亦为使行者，并赐予世间享乐与解脱之果。

Word by Word

• eṣaḥ: this (one)
• eṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhātā: supporter, creator
• dhātā: Pradhāna-nāma / Samānādhikaraṇa (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √dhā (धातु)
• Form: Agent noun (तृच्/तारक-प्रत्यय; धातृ-शब्द), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'the supporter/creator'

• vidhātā: ordainer, disposer
• vidhātā: Pradhāna-nāma / Samānādhikaraṇa (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vi-√dhā (धातु)
• Form: Agent noun (धातृ-शब्द), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); with उपसर्ग वि-; 'the ordainer'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• kāraṇam: cause
• kāraṇam: Pradhāna-nāma / Samānādhikaraṇa (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate nominative

• kāryam: effect, that which is to be done
• kāryam: Pradhāna-nāma / Samānādhikaraṇa (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate nominative

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (अवधारण-अव्यय)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• kartā: doer, maker
• kartā: Pradhāna-nāma / Samānādhikaraṇa (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Agent noun (तृच्), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kārayitā: causer, instigator
• kārayitā: Pradhāna-nāma / Samānādhikaraṇa (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Causative agent noun (णिच् causative base + तृच्), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'one who causes to do'

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu
• viṣṇuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhukti-mukti-phala-pradaḥ: giver of the fruits of enjoyment and liberation
• bhukti-mukti-phala-pradaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhukti (प्रातिपदिक) + mukti (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); multi-member तत्पुरुष: 'bhukti-mukti-phalaṃ pradadāti' → 'giver of the fruits of enjoyment and liberation'

Speaker

Narratorial voice of the Purana (praise describing Vishnu as the Supreme Lord)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as both transcendent and immanent—simultaneously the causal ground (kāraṇa) and the manifested universe (kārya), the inner agent (kartā) and the empowering governor (kārayitā).

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

While not prescribing a technique directly, it frames the Yogic insight needed for liberation: recognizing the Lord as the inner controller of action and the dispenser of karmic fruits, which supports detachment (vairāgya) and devotion (bhakti) as pathways to mukti.

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

By attributing ultimate causality and liberating power to Vishnu in a Purana known for Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis, it supports a non-sectarian reading: the Supreme Lord functions as the single source behind creation, action, and liberation, beyond rigid deity exclusivism.