Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 50
Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)
नोदके चात्मनो रूपं न कूलं श्वभ्रमेव वा / न लङ्घयेच्च मूत्रं वा नाधितिष्ठेत् कदाचन
nodake cātmano rūpaṃ na kūlaṃ śvabhrameva vā / na laṅghayecca mūtraṃ vā nādhitiṣṭhet kadācana
لا ينبغي أن ينظر المرء إلى صورته المنعكسة في الماء؛ ولا أن يطأ ضفة النهر أو حافة الحفرة. ولا يقفز فوق البول، ولا يقف عليه قطّ.
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing sages on dharma and purity (ācāra) norms
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
Indirectly, it frames self-discipline (śauca and ācāra) as a prerequisite for inner clarity: restraining careless behavior in impure contexts supports steadiness of mind, which is foundational for realizing the Self.
This verse emphasizes ethical-preparatory discipline—cleanliness and careful bodily conduct—akin to yama/niyama-style restraints that stabilize the practitioner before higher practices like mantra, meditation, and Pāśupata-oriented devotion.
By presenting a shared dharmic-ascetic code (śauca/ācāra) taught by Lord Kūrma, the text supports the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis: the same purity and restraint undergird devotion and yoga across both traditions.