Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 33

Tīrtha-māhātmya and Rudra’s Samanvaya Teaching

Maṅkaṇaka Episode

Devanagari script

अन्यत् कुब्जाम्रमतुलं स्थानं विष्णोर्महात्मनः / संपूज्य पुरुषं विष्णुं श्वेतद्वीपे महीयते

Transliteration

anyat kubjāmramatulaṃ sthānaṃ viṣṇormahātmanaḥ / saṃpūjya puruṣaṃ viṣṇuṃ śvetadvīpe mahīyate

Translation

又有一处无与伦比的圣地，属于大魂毗湿奴，名为“库布迦摩罗”(Kubjāmra)。若在彼处如法礼敬“普鲁沙·毗湿奴”，便得尊荣，并在“白洲”(Śvetadvīpa)获至崇高境位。

Word by Word

• अन्यत्: another
• अन्यत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषण (another)

• कुब्जाम्रम्: the Kubjāmra (bent mango-tree/place)
• कुब्जाम्रम्: Visheshya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुब्ज-आम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (कुब्जः आम्रः)

• अतुलम्: incomparable
• अतुलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषण

• स्थानम्: place
• स्थानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive); एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (one)
• महात्मनः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति; एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (महान् आत्मा यस्य)

• संपूज्य: having worshipped
• संपूज्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-पूज् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); “having duly worshipped”

• पुरुषम्: the Person
• पुरुषम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; पुरुषम् इति विशेष्यस्य अपि नाम

• श्वेतद्वीपे: in Śvetadvīpa
• श्वेतद्वीपे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वेत-द्वीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative); एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (श्वेतः द्वीपः)

• महीयते: is honored/glorified
• महीयते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार; प्रथम-पुरुष; एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive: “is honored”)

Speaker

Likely Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing sages/Indradyumna in a tirtha-mahatmya sequence (Purva-bhaga narrative frame)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Purusha (Supreme Person)
• Kubjamra (tirtha/place-name)
• Shvetadvipa

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By naming Viṣṇu as “Puruṣa,” the verse points to the Supreme Person as the ultimate spiritual reality—worship of that Puruṣa leads to exalted attainment (here expressed as honour in Śvetadvīpa), implying a soteriological link between devotion and realization.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes saṃpūjā (complete, disciplined worship) at a tīrtha as a sādhana—ritual purity, focused devotion, and steady remembrance of Puruṣa Viṣṇu function as a bhakti-oriented yogic practice aligned with Purāṇic dharma.

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

While explicitly Vaiṣṇava in focus (Puruṣa Viṣṇu), it fits the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology where tīrtha-worship and dharmic practice are shared frameworks across sectarian lines—supporting a synthesis rather than rivalry between Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava paths.