Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 23
Brahmacārin-Dharma: Guru-Sevā, Daily Vedic Study, Gāyatrī-Japa, and Anadhyāya Regulations
लौकिकं वैदिकं चापि तथाध्यात्मिकमेव च / आददीत यतो ज्ञानं न तं द्रुह्येत् कदाचन
laukikaṃ vaidikaṃ cāpi tathādhyātmikameva ca / ādadīta yato jñānaṃ na taṃ druhyet kadācana
ينبغي أن يتلقّى المرء العلم الدنيوي والعلم الفيدي، وكذلك العلم الأدهْياتمي (الروحاني) ممن يمنحه؛ ولا يجوز له قطّ أن يخون ذلك المعلّم أو يظلمه.
Sage (instructional narration within the Purva-bhaga’s dharma-teachings; traditionally framed through the Purana’s teacher-disciple transmission headed by Vyasa/Suta)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It does not define Atman directly; it establishes a dharmic prerequisite for Atma-vidyā—receive adhyātmika-jñāna from a qualified source and maintain unwavering goodwill toward that source.
No specific technique is taught; the verse gives the ethical ground for Yoga-shāstra—humility, receptivity to instruction (śravaṇa), and non-malicious conduct toward the guru/teacher, which supports disciplined practice such as Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā.
It does not name Shiva or Vishnu; its synthesis is indirect—spiritual authority is honored wherever true jñāna arises, aligning with the Kurma Purana’s broad, integrative reverence for valid paths and teachers across Shaiva-Vaishnava traditions.