Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 98

Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara

Devanagari script

अग्नौ क्रियावतामप्सु व्योम्नि सूर्ये मनीषिणाम् / काष्ठादिष्वेव मूर्खाणां हृदि लिङ्गन्तुयोगिनाम्

Transliteration

agnau kriyāvatāmapsu vyomni sūrye manīṣiṇām / kāṣṭhādiṣveva mūrkhāṇāṃ hṛdi liṅgantuyoginām

Translation

行仪轨者于火中求（神）；他者于水中求；善思的智者于虚空与太阳中观之。愚者但于木石等物中觅；而瑜伽行者之真灵伽，则在心中。

Word by Word

• अग्नौ: in fire
• अग्नौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• क्रियावताम्: of ritual-performers
• क्रियावताम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रियावत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (Genitive), बहुवचनम्; ‘those who perform rites’

• अप्सु: in waters
• अप्सु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (irregular stem अप्)

• व्योम्नि: in the sky
• व्योम्नि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्योमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सूर्ये: in the sun
• सूर्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• मनीषिणाम्: of the wise
• मनीषिणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनीषिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• काष्ठ-आदिषु: in wood etc.
• काष्ठ-आदिषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः: काष्ठादि (wood etc.)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphatic: only/indeed)

• मूर्खाणाम्: of fools
• मूर्खाणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• हृदि: in the heart
• हृदि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• लिङ्गम्: the liṅga
• लिङ्गम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (ellipsis: ‘is/should be [seen]’)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• योगिनाम्: of yogins
• योगिनाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching within the Ishvara Gita tradition

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: hasya

Characters & Entities

• Ishvara (as inner Linga/Śiva principle)
• Surya
• Agni
• Apas

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It shifts the focus from external supports (fire, water, sun, idols) to the indwelling reality: the true divine “mark” (liṅga) is realized inwardly in the heart through yogic insight.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse prioritizes inner contemplation over external ritualism—pointing to yogic dhyāna on the heart as the locus of realization, consistent with Pāśupata-oriented inward worship and disciplined meditation.

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

In the Ishvara Gita setting, Lord Kurma teaches realization of the inner liṅga (Śiva-principle) as the supreme focus—reflecting the Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis where the same Ishvara is taught through Vishnu’s voice.