Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 193

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

Hari–Hara–Śakti Synthesis

Devanagari script

त्वमक्षरं ब्रह्म परं पवित्र- मानन्दरूपं प्रणवाभिधानम् / त्वमीश्वरो वेदपदेषु सिद्धः स्वयं प्रभो ऽशेषविशेषहीनः

Transliteration

tvamakṣaraṃ brahma paraṃ pavitra- mānandarūpaṃ praṇavābhidhānam / tvamīśvaro vedapadeṣu siddhaḥ svayaṃ prabho 'śeṣaviśeṣahīnaḥ

Translation

你是不坏的至上梵（Brahman），至高的清净——以喜乐为体——以神圣的普拉纳瓦音节“唵”（Oṁ）而称。你是于吠陀言句中确立的自在主（Īśvara）；自照之主，离一切限制性的分别。

Word by Word

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अक्षरम्: the imperishable
• अक्षरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ब्रह्म: Brahman
• ब्रह्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (form: ब्रह्म)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• पवित्रम्: pure, holy
• पवित्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• आनन्दरूपम्: of the nature of bliss
• आनन्दरूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आनन्द-रूप (प्रातिपदिक; आनन्द + रूप)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ('form of bliss')

• प्रणवाभिधानम्: having the designation “praṇava (Oṃ)”
• प्रणवाभिधानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रणव-अभिधान (प्रातिपदिक; प्रणव + अभिधान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष ('designation/name as praṇava')

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ईश्वरः: Lord
• ईश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वेदपदेषु: in the Vedic passages
• वेदपदेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद-पद (प्रातिपदिक; वेद + पद)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष ('words/verses of the Veda')

• सिद्धः: established, well-known
• सिद्धः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √सिध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'established/proved'

• स्वयम्: by oneself, directly
• स्वयम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• प्रभो: O Lord
• प्रभो: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• अशेषविशेषहीनः: devoid of all distinctions
• अशेषविशेषहीनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशेष-विशेष-हीन (प्रातिपदिक; अशेष + विशेष + हीन)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: अशेष (without remainder) + विशेष (distinction) + हीन (devoid)

Speaker

A devotee/sage offering stuti within the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis (addressing the Supreme Lord as Akṣara-Brahman).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Akṣara (Imperishable Brahman)
• Brahman
• Praṇava (Oṁ)
• Īśvara
• Veda

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It identifies the Supreme as Akṣara-Brahman—imperishable, supremely pure, bliss-natured, and ultimately free from limiting distinctions—indicating a non-dual (nirviśeṣa) understanding of the highest reality.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse centers on Praṇava (Oṁ) as the supreme designation of Brahman, supporting praṇava-japa and Oṁ-dhyāna (meditation on Oṁ) as a direct contemplative method aligned with the Kurma Purana’s yogic and theistic framework.

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

By addressing the Supreme as Īśvara and Akṣara-Brahman beyond all distinctions, it supports the Kurma Purana’s inclusive theology where sectarian identifiers (Śiva/Vişṇu) are integrated under one transcendent Lord.