Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 137

Prāyaścitta for Theft, Forbidden Foods, Impurity, and Ritual Lapses; Tīrtha–Vrata Remedies; Pativratā Mahātmyam via Sītā and Agni

Devanagari script

भर्तुः शुश्रूषणोपेता सुशीलेयं पतिव्रता / भवानीपार्श्वमानीता मया रावणकामिता

Transliteration

bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇopetā suśīleyaṃ pativratā / bhavānīpārśvamānītā mayā rāvaṇakāmitā

Translation

“她恭敬侍奉其夫，品行端正，坚守贞节（pativratā）。然而我——罗波那——为欲火所驱，因贪恋她，竟将她带近婆伐尼（帕尔瓦蒂）。”

Word by Word

• भर्तुः: of (her) husband
• भर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शुश्रूषणोपेता: endowed with devoted service
• शुश्रूषणोपेता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुश्रूषण + उपेता (प्रातिपदिक; उप + इ-धातोः क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (शुश्रूषणेन उपेता = endowed with service)

• सुशीला: good-natured
• सुशीला: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + शीला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सुशीला = very virtuous)

• इयम्: this (woman)
• इयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• पतिव्रता: faithful to her husband
• पतिव्रता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति + व्रता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पतेः व्रता = devoted to husband)

• भवानीपार्श्वम्: to Bhavānī’s side
• भवानीपार्श्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवानी + पार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भवान्याः पार्श्वम्)

• आनीता: was brought
• आनीता: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + नी (धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि (brought)

• मया: by me
• मया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• रावणकामिता: desired by Rāvaṇa
• रावणकामिता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रावण + कामिता (प्रातिपदिक; कम्-धातोः क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः (रावणेन कामिता / रावणस्य कामिता = desired by Rāvaṇa)

Speaker

Ravana (in narration/confession within the Kurma Purana’s Purva-bhaga context)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Ravana
• Bhavani (Parvati)
• Pativrata-dharma
• Bhartṛ-sevā (service to husband)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

This verse is primarily ethical-narrative: it contrasts lust and adharma with the steadiness of pativratā-dharma. Indirectly, it supports Purāṇic teaching that self-mastery and dharmic restraint are prerequisites for higher knowledge of the Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No explicit yoga technique is taught in this line; the implied discipline is indriya-nigraha (restraint of the senses). In the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva-Vaishnava framework, such restraint supports sādhanā leading toward Pāśupata-oriented purification and contemplative steadiness.

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

The verse names Bhavānī (a Śaiva focal point) within a Purāṇic narrative that also aligns with Vaiṣṇava ethical ideals. It reflects the Kurma Purana’s tendency to present dharma and sanctity as shared across Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava horizons rather than as mutually exclusive.