Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
प्रणवासक्तमनसो रुद्रजप्यपरायणान् / अथर्वशिरसो ऽध्येतृन् धर्मज्ञान् परिवर्जय
praṇavāsaktamanaso rudrajapyaparāyaṇān / atharvaśiraso 'dhyetṛn dharmajñān parivarjaya
اجتنب مَن استغرقَت عقولُهم في مقطع «أوم» وحده، ومَن أخلصوا حصراً لهمسِ مانترات رودرا، ومَن يقتصرون على دراسة «أتهرفشيرس»—وإن تكلّموا عن الدارما—فإن هذا التحيّز لطرفٍ واحد يُبعِد عن السبيل المتوازن.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in a dharma-teaching dialogue
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
Indirectly: it warns that fixation on a single external marker (like mere Oṁ or mantra-recitation) is not, by itself, realization; true dharma points beyond one-sided practice toward integrated knowledge and discipline leading to the Self.
Mantra-oriented practice is referenced (praṇava-focus and Rudra-japa), but the verse emphasizes discernment—Yoga must be supported by right understanding and a balanced dharmic framework rather than sectarian or mechanical repetition alone.
By cautioning against exclusivism around Rudra-mantras while speaking within a Vishnu-as-teacher frame, it supports the Purana’s synthesis: reverence for Śiva is not rejected, but narrow, one-sided identity is discouraged in favor of harmonized dharma.