Shloka 51
Daily Duties of Brāhmaṇas: Snāna, Sandhyā, Sūrya-hṛdaya, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and the Pañca-mahāyajñas
विना दर्भेण यत्कर्म विना सूत्रेण वा पुनः / राक्षसं तद्भवेत् सर्वं नामुत्रेह फलप्रदम्
vinā darbheṇa yatkarma vinā sūtreṇa vā punaḥ / rākṣasaṃ tadbhavet sarvaṃ nāmutreha phalapradam
كلُّ شعيرةٍ تُؤدَّى بلا عشبِ الدَّربها، أو كذلك بلا الخيطِ المقدّس (اليَجْنْيَوْبَفِيتا)، تصير كلُّها ذاتَ طابعٍ «راكشَسِيّ» ولا تُثمر ثمرةً نافعةً لا في هذه الدنيا ولا في الآخرة.
Traditional narrator voice within the Kurma Purana’s dharma-instruction (śāstra-vacana), presented in the dialogue framework of the Purva-bhaga
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
Indirectly: it emphasizes that dharmic action must align with śāstra and purity; such disciplined karma becomes a support for inner purification that prepares the seeker for Atman-realization taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.
This verse is about karma-kāṇḍa discipline rather than meditation: it stresses śāstra-conformity and ritual purity (using darbha and yajñopavīta) as preparatory foundations that support sādhana, including later yogic and devotional practices.
It reflects the Purana’s synthesis by prioritizing a shared dharmic standard: regardless of whether worship is directed in a Shaiva or Vaishnava mode, actions must be śāstra-aligned to bear fruit—dharma is the common ground.