Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 25

Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rudra’s Samanvaya Teaching

Maṅkaṇaka Episode

Devanagari script

महानदीजलं पुण्यं सर्वपापविनाशनम् / ग्रहणे समुपस्पृश्य मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

Transliteration

mahānadījalaṃ puṇyaṃ sarvapāpavināśanam / grahaṇe samupaspṛśya mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Translation

大河之水至为神圣，能灭除一切罪垢。于日月食之时在其中行沐浴净礼，便能解脱诸般重罪。

Word by Word

• महानदीजलम्: the water of the great river
• महानदीजलम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महानदी-जल (प्रातिपदिक; महा + नदी + जल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष ‘महानद्याः जलम्’

• पुण्यम्: holy, meritorious
• पुण्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; predicate adjective

• सर्वपापविनाशनम्: destroyer of all sins
• सर्वपापविनाशनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-पाप-विनाशन (प्रातिपदिक; सर्व + पाप + विनाशन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष ‘सर्वेषां पापानां विनाशनम्’

• ग्रहणे: at an eclipse
• ग्रहणे: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; time-location

• समुपस्पृश्य: having performed ablution/touched (water)
• समुपस्पृश्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उप-स्पृश् (धातु) → समुपस्पृश्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund); ‘having touched/bathed (by sipping/touching water)’

• मुच्यते: is freed
• मुच्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• सर्वपातकैः: from all sins
• सर्वपातकैः: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-पातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; instrumental of separation in passive

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing Indradyumna (in a tīrtha-dharma context)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Mahānadi (great river)
• Grahaṇa (eclipse)
• Tīrtha (sacred water/ford)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification (śuddhi) through dharma—external cleansing that supports inner clarity, which in Yoga and Vedānta becomes a prerequisite for recognizing the Self beyond sin and merit.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights dhārmic discipline (niyama-like purity) via tīrtha-snāna at grahaṇa, a traditional observance treated as prāyaścitta; such purification is presented as supportive to sustained sādhana (japa, dhyāna, and restraint).

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

By focusing on universally accepted dharma (tīrtha, purification, prāyaścitta) rather than sectarian doctrine, it reflects the Purāṇa’s integrative Shaiva–Vaishnava ethos: shared sacred practices leading toward liberation-oriented purity.