Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 15
Ācamana-vidhi, Śauca, and Conduct Rules for Study, Eating, and Bodily Functions
हृद्गाभिः पूयते विप्रः कण्ठ्याभिः क्षत्रियः शुचिः / प्राशिताभिस्तथावैश्यः स्त्रीशूद्रौ स्पर्शतो ऽन्ततः
hṛdgābhiḥ pūyate vipraḥ kaṇṭhyābhiḥ kṣatriyaḥ śuciḥ / prāśitābhistathāvaiśyaḥ strīśūdrau sparśato 'ntataḥ
ব্রাহ্মণ হৃদয় পর্যন্ত পৌঁছানো জলে শুদ্ধ হয়; ক্ষত্রিয় কণ্ঠ পর্যন্ত জলে নির্মল হয়; বৈশ্য আচমন-কৃত জলে পবিত্র হয়; আর নারী ও শূদ্র শেষ পর্যন্ত জলের স্পর্শমাত্রে শুদ্ধ গণ্য হয়।
Sūta (narrator) recounting dharma-teachings of the Kurma Purana tradition
Primary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It does not directly define Ātman; it teaches external śauca as a dharmic support that steadies the practitioner for inner purity, which the Purāṇa elsewhere connects with Self-knowledge and devotion to Īśvara.
The verse highlights śauca (purity) and ācamana-type cleansing as preparatory discipline—supporting steadiness in worship, mantra, and meditative practice, which in Kurma Purana frames the path toward higher yoga and devotion.
This verse is a dharma rule and does not explicitly discuss Śiva–Viṣṇu unity; it belongs to the shared purāṇic-dharma framework that both Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions treat as foundational for worship and yoga.