Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 16

Brahmacārin-Dharma: Guru-Sevā, Daily Vedic Study, Gāyatrī-Japa, and Anadhyāya Regulations

Devanagari script

गन्धमाल्यं रसं कल्यां शुक्तं प्राणिविहिंसनम् / अभ्यङ्गं चाञ्चनोपानच्छत्रधारणमेव च

Transliteration

gandhamālyaṃ rasaṃ kalyāṃ śuktaṃ prāṇivihiṃsanam / abhyaṅgaṃ cāñcanopānacchatradhāraṇameva ca

Translation

الطيبُ والأكاليلُ، والمذاقاتُ الشهيةُ، والطعامُ المباركُ، والمخللاتُ الحامضةُ التي لا تتضمن إيذاءَ الكائنات الحية؛ وكذلك دهنُ الجسد بالزيت، واستعمالُ الكحل، ولبسُ النعل، وحملُ المظلّة أيضًا.

Word by Word

• गन्धमाल्यम्: perfumed garland
• गन्धमाल्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध-माल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गन्धस्य माल्यम्)

• रसम्: taste/juice (savory relish)
• रसम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कल्याम्: wine/fermented liquor (kalyā)
• कल्याम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• शुक्तम्: sour gruel/vinegar-like drink
• शुक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्राणिविहिंसनम्: harming living beings
• प्राणिविहिंसनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राणि-विहिंसन (प्रातिपदिक; √हिंस् (धातु) + ल्युट्/अन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्राणिनां विहिंसनम्)

• अभ्यङ्गम्: oil massage/anointing
• अभ्यङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• आञ्चन-उपानत्-छत्र-धारणम्: wearing ornaments, footwear, and carrying an umbrella
• आञ्चन-उपानत्-छत्र-धारणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आञ्चन + उपानत् + छत्र + धारण (प्रातिपदिक; √धृ (धातु) + ल्युट्/अन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (आञ्चनं च उपानत् च छत्रं च—एषां धारणम्)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphatic particle)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

Speaker

Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma/vrata conduct (contextual speaker attribution within the Purana’s didactic dialogue)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It does so indirectly: by emphasizing ahiṃsā and purity in conduct, the verse supports the inner clarity (śuddhi) traditionally held to be necessary for realizing the Atman beyond bodily indulgence and harm.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Rather than a specific technique, it highlights preparatory disciplines (yama-like restraints and śauca): non-violence in consumption and regulated habits that stabilize the body-mind, supporting later Yoga and contemplation.

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

By teaching a shared dharmic-ascetic ethic (ahiṃsā, purity, restraint) common to both Shaiva and Vaishnava paths, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance where devotional and yogic disciplines converge.