Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46

Kali-yuga Doṣas, the Supremacy of Rudra as Refuge, and the Closure of the Manvantara Teaching

Devanagari script

योगिनां योगदातारं योगमायासमावृतम् / योगिनां कुरुमाचार्यं योगिगम्यं पिनाकिनम्

Transliteration

yogināṃ yogadātāraṃ yogamāyāsamāvṛtam / yogināṃ kurumācāryaṃ yogigamyaṃ pinākinam

Translation

我礼敬持弓者毗那迦（Pinākin，Śiva）——赐予瑜伽于诸瑜伽行者者；又以自身的瑜伽幻力（yogamāyā）而自隐；为瑜伽行者之行持导师，唯由瑜伽方可证达。

Word by Word

• yoginām: of yogins
• yoginām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• yogadātāram: giver of yoga
• yogadātāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga-dātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; samāsa: yogasya dātā (genitive tatpuruṣa)

• yogamāyāsamāvṛtam: covered by yogic māyā
• yogamāyāsamāvṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yoga-māyā-samāvṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; past participle (क्त) from sam-ā-√vṛ (सम्+आ+वृ धातु) ‘covered’; compound: yogamāyayā samāvṛtaḥ (instrumental tatpuruṣa)

• yoginām: of yogins
• yoginām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural

• kurumācāryam: teacher of the Kurus
• kurumācāryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kurumācārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; samāsa: kuruṇām ācāryaḥ (genitive tatpuruṣa)

• yogigamyam: attainable by yogins
• yogigamyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yogi-gamya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; kr̥danta: gamya (gerundive/तव्यत् sense) from √gam (गम् धातु) ‘to go/attain’; compound: yogibhiḥ gamyaḥ (instrumental tatpuruṣa)

• pinākinam: Pinākin (bearer of the bow Pināka)
• pinākinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pinākin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic voice) praising Śiva (Pinākin) within the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Pinakin
• Yoga
• Yogamaya

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as the inner source of Yoga and realization—yet not grasped by ordinary means—because He is “veiled by yogic māyā,” and thus known primarily through yogic attainment.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes disciplined yogic practice (kriyā/abhyāsa) under a true ācārya, stating that the Lord is “yogigamya”—attainable through Yoga rather than mere ritual or speculation.

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

By using Yoga-centered, Īśvara-focused language typical of the Kurma Purana’s synthesis, it frames Śiva as the supreme goal for yogins in a way that harmonizes with Purāṇic non-sectarian theology where the one Īśvara is praised through different divine forms.