Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Nine Creations (Sarga), Guṇa-Streams of Beings, and Brahmā’s Progeny in Cyclic Time

Devanagari script

भ्रुकुटीकुटिलात् तस्य ललाटात् परमेश्वरः / समुत्पन्नो महादेवः शरण्यो नीललोहितः

Transliteration

bhrukuṭīkuṭilāt tasya lalāṭāt parameśvaraḥ / samutpanno mahādevaḥ śaraṇyo nīlalohitaḥ

Translation

从他因紧蹙双眉而起褶的额间，至上自在天（Parameśvara）显现——摩诃提婆（Mahādeva）、赐予庇护者、尼罗罗希多（Nīlalohita，青赤之鲁陀罗）。

Word by Word

• bhrukuṭī-kuṭilāt: from the brow's frown/crease
• bhrukuṭī-kuṭilāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrukuṭī (प्रातिपदिक) + kuṭila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; सप्तमी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष sense: bhrukuṭyāḥ kuṭilam (the furrow/curve of the brow)

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• lalāṭāt: from (his) forehead
• lalāṭāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lalāṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• parameśvaraḥ: Parameśvara (Supreme Lord)
• parameśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• samutpannaḥ: arisen; manifested
• samutpannaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ut-pad (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past participle (कृदन्त-क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with parameśvaraḥ/mahādevaḥ

• mahā-devaḥ: Mahādeva
• mahā-devaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; कर्मधारय: mahān devaḥ

• śaraṇyaḥ: refuge-giving; protector
• śaraṇyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaraṇya (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; epithet of mahādevaḥ

• nīla-lohitaḥ: Nīlalohita (blue-red one)
• nīla-lohitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक) + lohita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; कर्मधारय: nīlaś ca lohitaś ca (blue-and-red-hued) as a name/epithet

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration, traditionally Sūta/Vyāsa lineage)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Parameśvara
• Mahādeva
• Nīlalohita (Rudra/Śiva)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By calling the manifested Rudra “Parameśvara,” the verse points to a supreme, source-like divinity that can appear in form without losing transcendence—suggesting the One reality’s capacity to manifest as Īśvara for cosmic functions.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific technique is taught in this line, but the motif of a deity arising from concentrated inner power (forehead/brow-furrow) aligns with Purāṇic yoga symbolism: intense tapas, focused will (saṅkalpa), and mastery of inner energies—ideas later systematized in Pāśupata-oriented devotion and discipline.

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

It frames Mahādeva as “Parameśvara” within the same sacred narrative stream, supporting the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where the Supreme is one, and Śiva/Vişṇu are revered as non-competitive manifestations serving cosmic order.