Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 48

Śrāddha-Kāla-Nirṇaya: Proper Times, Nakṣatra Fruits, Tīrtha Merit, and Offerings for Ancestral Rites

Devanagari script

कोद्रवान् कोविदारांश्चपालक्यान् मरिचांस्तथा / वर्जयेत् सर्वयत्नेन श्राद्धकाले द्विजोत्तमः

Transliteration

kodravān kovidārāṃścapālakyān maricāṃstathā / varjayet sarvayatnena śrāddhakāle dvijottamaḥ

Translation

في زمن شرادها (طقوس الأسلاف)، ينبغي لأفضل ذوي الولادتين أن يجتنب بكل جهدٍ دخن الكودو، وأزهار/قرون شجرة الكوفيدارا، وخضار بالاكيا الورقية، والفلفل الأسود.

Word by Word

• कोद्रवान्: kodo millets
• कोद्रवान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोद्रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; accusative plural masculine

• कोविदारान्: kovidāra (Bauhinia) pods/flowers
• कोविदारान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोविदार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; accusative plural masculine

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

• पालक्यान्: pālakya greens/spinach
• पालक्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पालक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; accusative plural feminine

• मरिचान्: pepper (peppercorns)
• मरिचान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरिच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; accusative plural neuter

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारार्थक/समुच्चयार्थक (adverb: 'likewise/also')

• वर्जयेत्: should avoid
• वर्जयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृज्/वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; should avoid

• सर्वयत्नेन: with every effort
• सर्वयत्नेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्व-यत्न (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; instrumental singular; अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोग (adverbial instrumental)

• श्राद्धकाले: at the time of śrāddha
• श्राद्धकाले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध-काल (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; locative singular

• द्विजोत्तमः: the best of the twice-born (brāhmaṇa)
• द्विजोत्तमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज-उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; nominative singular

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) relaying the Kurma Purana’s Śrāddha injunctions as taught in the tradition

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Śrāddha
• Dvija
• Kovidāra
• Kodrava
• Marica

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

This verse is primarily a Dharma-śāstric instruction for Śrāddha, focusing on ritual discipline rather than directly defining Ātman; it supports the broader Purāṇic view that inner intent is strengthened by outer purity and restraint.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No explicit yoga technique is taught here; the ‘sarvayatnena varjayet’ (avoid with all effort) reflects niyama-like restraint—supporting sattva, steadiness, and ritual focus during Śrāddha.

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

It does not explicitly mention Śiva–Viṣṇu unity; it operates within shared Purāṇic Dharma where ritual purity and disciplined conduct are upheld across Shaiva–Vaishnava traditions.