Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 32

Divine Abodes on the Mountains — A Sacred Survey of Jambūdvīpa

Kailāsa to Siddha Realms

Devanagari script

तत्र सा परमा शक्तिर्विष्णोरतिमनोरमा / अनन्तविभवा लक्ष्मीर्जगत्संमोहनोत्सुका

Transliteration

tatra sā paramā śaktirviṣṇoratimanoramā / anantavibhavā lakṣmīrjagatsaṃmohanotsukā

Translation

在那里，毗湿奴至上的圣力、极其迷人的女神——无尽威德的吉祥天（拉克希米）——伫立着，渴望以神妙之魅惑摄受诸世界。

Word by Word

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्थानवाचक (locative adverb)

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• paramā: supreme
• paramā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् śaktiḥ

• śaktiḥ: power, energy
• śaktiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ati-manoramā: exceedingly delightful
• ati-manoramā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati + manoramā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—अव्ययीभावः (ati- ‘exceedingly’ + manoramā ‘charming’); विशेषणम् śaktiḥ

• ananta-vibhavā: of infinite splendor
• ananta-vibhavā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ananta + vibhavā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (‘endless in splendor/wealth’); विशेषणम् lakṣmīḥ

• lakṣmīḥ: Lakṣmī
• lakṣmīḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• jagat-saṃmohana-utsukā: eager to enchant the world
• jagat-saṃmohana-utsukā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jagat + saṃmohana + utsukā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (jagat-saṃmohana = ‘bewildering the world’ qualifying utsukā ‘eager’); विशेषणम् lakṣmīḥ

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic voice, within the Kurma Purana’s discourse on Śrī as Viṣṇu’s śakti)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Lakshmi (Shri)
• Shakti
• Jagat (worlds)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By presenting Lakṣmī as Viṣṇu’s “paramā śakti,” the verse implies that the Lord’s transcendence is accompanied by an operative divine power through which the cosmos appears and is experienced—Atman remains the ground, while śakti governs manifestation and perception.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to the need for yogic discernment (viveka) against “jagat-saṃmohana” (world-enchantment). In Kurma Purana’s spiritual frame, steadiness of mind, devotion to Īśvara, and discrimination between the eternal and the transient counteract the captivating pull of prosperity and appearance.

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

Though Viṣṇu is named, the teaching aligns with the Purana’s synthesis: the supreme Lord operates through śakti, a principle equally emphasized in Śaiva-Pāśupata and Vaiṣṇava theology—divinity is one, expressed through power that governs the world’s enchantment.