Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 31

Narmadā-māhātmya: Amarakāṇṭaka, Jāleśvara, Kapilā–Viśalyakaraṇī, and the Supreme Purifying Power of Darśana

Devanagari script

सरस्वत्यां च गङ्गायां नर्मदायां युधिष्ठिर / समं स्नानं च दानं च यथा मे शङ्करो ऽब्रवीत्

Transliteration

sarasvatyāṃ ca gaṅgāyāṃ narmadāyāṃ yudhiṣṭhira / samaṃ snānaṃ ca dānaṃ ca yathā me śaṅkaro 'bravīt

Translation

尤提士提罗啊，在萨拉斯瓦蒂河、恒河与讷尔摩陀河中，沐浴与布施的功德同等——正如圣者商羯罗（Śaṅkara）曾对我所说。

Word by Word

• सरस्वत्याम्: in/at the Sarasvatī (river)
• सरस्वत्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (and)

• गङ्गायाम्: in/at the Gaṅgā
• गङ्गायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• नर्मदायाम्: in/at the Narmadā
• नर्मदायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर्मदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• युधिष्ठिर: O Yudhiṣṭhira
• युधिष्ठिर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधिष्ठिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• समम्: equal
• समम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative: equal)

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विषय/उद्देश्य (bathing)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (and)

• दानम्: charity/giving
• दानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विषय/उद्देश्य (giving/charity)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (and)

• यथा: as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (as/just as)

• मे: to me / my
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम; सम्बन्ध (to me/my)

• शङ्करः: Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• शङ्करः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• अब्रवीत्: said/told
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu), narrating to a royal interlocutor in Purana-style dialogue; he cites Shiva (Shankara) as prior authority

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Sarasvati
• Ganga
• Narmada
• Yudhishthira
• Shankara (Shiva)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes inner dharmic intention expressed through snāna (purification) and dāna (selfless giving), implying that spiritual merit is not tied to one exclusive place but to aligned conduct—consistent with Purāṇic teaching that the Self is approached through purity and generosity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Not a meditative technique directly, but a preparatory discipline: tīrtha-snānā (ritual purification) and dāna (charity) support sādhana by reducing impurity and ego, aligning with broader Kurma Purana guidance where external observances become aids to inner Yoga and devotion.

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

Vishnu (as Kūrma) cites Śaṅkara as an authoritative teacher, reflecting the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony: both deities uphold the same dharma and validate each other’s teachings.