Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 6

Īśvara-gītā: Vibhūtis of the Supreme Lord and the Paśu–Paśupati Doctrine of Bondage and Release

Devanagari script

ऋषीणां च वसिष्ठो ऽहं देवानां च शतक्रतुः / शिल्पिनां विश्वकर्माहं प्रह्लादो ऽस्म्यमरद्विषाम्

Transliteration

ṛṣīṇāṃ ca vasiṣṭho 'haṃ devānāṃ ca śatakratuḥ / śilpināṃ viśvakarmāhaṃ prahlādo 'smyamaradviṣām

Translation

在诸圣仙中，我是婆悉吒（Vasiṣṭha）；在诸天神中，我是释多迦罗都（Śatakratu，因陀罗）。在诸工巧者中，我是毗湿瓦羯摩（Viśvakarman）；在敌对不死者者中，我是般罗诃罗陀（Prahlāda）。

Word by Word

• ऋषीणाम्: of sages
• ऋषीणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• वसिष्ठः: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठः: Pradhana-predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• देवानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• शतक्रतुः: Śatakratu (Indra)
• शतक्रतुः: Pradhana-predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata + kratu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'he of a hundred sacrifices' (Indra)

• शिल्पिनाम्: of artisans
• शिल्पिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śilpin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• विश्वकर्मा: Viśvakarmā
• विश्वकर्मा: Pradhana-predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'maker of all'

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• प्रह्लादः: Prahlāda
• प्रह्लादः: Pradhana-predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prahlāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• अस्मि: am
• अस्मि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• अमरद्विषाम्: of the enemies of the gods
• अमरद्विषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amara + dviṣ (प्रातिपदिक; dviṣ from √dviṣ)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; तत्पुरुष: 'hater of the immortals (gods)' i.e., asuras

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu), teaching divine vibhūti as an upāya for devotion and contemplation

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Śatakratu (Indra)
• Viśvakarman
• Prahlāda

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It presents the Supreme as the inner sovereignty (īśvaratva) manifesting through the highest exemplars in each class of beings—showing one Lord appearing as many, without losing unity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

A vibhūti-based upāsanā: contemplate the Lord as the excellence within revered figures (ṛṣis, devas, artisans, even opposing factions). This steadies attention (dhāraṇā) and matures devotion into one-pointed meditation.

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

By emphasizing one Īśvara pervading all domains and lineages, it supports the Purāṇic non-sectarian synthesis in which divine supremacy is understood as a single reality honored through different names and forms (including Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava frames).