Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 26

Īśvara-gītā: Antaryāmin, Kāla, and the Divine Ordinance Governing Creation, Preservation, and Pralaya

Devanagari script

वेतालगणभूतानां स्वामी भोगफलप्रदः / ईशानः किल भक्तानां सो ऽपि तिष्ठन्ममाज्ञया

Transliteration

vetālagaṇabhūtānāṃ svāmī bhogaphalapradaḥ / īśānaḥ kila bhaktānāṃ so 'pi tiṣṭhanmamājñayā

Translation

他是毗陀罗、伽那与部多诸众的主宰，赐予享乐之果；对其信众而言，他确为伊沙那（Īśāna）——然而即便如此，他也依我的命令而立而住。

Word by Word

• vetāla-gaṇa-bhūtānām: of vetālas, gaṇas, and spirits
• vetāla-gaṇa-bhūtānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vetāla (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); dvandva (समाहार/इतरेतर) sense: 'of vetālas, gaṇas, and bhūtas'

• svāmī: lord/master
• svāmī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svāmin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhoga-phala-pradaḥ: giver of enjoyments and results
• bhoga-phala-pradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'giver of enjoyment and fruits/results'

• īśānaḥ: Īśāna
• īśānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• kila: indeed/it is said
• kila: Sambandha/Discourse marker (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kila (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), reportative/emphatic

• bhaktānām: of devotees
• bhaktānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha/Discourse marker (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphatic

• tiṣṭhan: standing/remaining
• tiṣṭhan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमान कृदन्त/शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन); pronoun

• ājñayā: by (my) command
• ājñayā: Karana (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) speaking in an integrative Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava theological frame

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Īśāna (Śiva)
• Vetālas
• Gaṇas
• Bhūtas

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents a hierarchical non-dual theism: Śiva (Īśāna) is supreme for devotees and grants results, yet he functions within the higher ordinance of the Supreme speaker—implying one sovereign Reality governing all divine powers.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse stresses īśvara-niyama (the Lord’s governance) and phala-dātṛtva (bestowal of results), supporting a bhakti-oriented discipline where surrender and alignment with divine command are foundational—an underpinning theme for Pāśupata-leaning devotion and restraint.

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

It depicts functional unity with theological integration: Śiva is acknowledged as Īśāna and granter of fruits, while Viṣṇu (as Kūrma) is presented as the ultimate source of command—harmonizing Śaiva authority within a Vaiṣṇava framing.