Shloka 49

Svāyambhuva Lineage to Dakṣa; Pṛthu’s Devotion; Pāśupata Saṃnyāsa; Dakṣa–Satī Episode

Devanagari script

भस्मोद्धूलितसर्वाङ्गः कन्दमूलफलाशनः / शान्तो दान्तो जितक्रोधः संन्यासविधिमाश्रितः

Transliteration

bhasmoddhūlitasarvāṅgaḥ kandamūlaphalāśanaḥ / śānto dānto jitakrodhaḥ saṃnyāsavidhimāśritaḥ

Translation

Den ganzen Leib mit bhasma (heiliger Asche) bestäubt, von Knollen, Wurzeln und Früchten lebend, friedvoll, beherrscht und den Zorn bezwingend, hielt er sich an die vorgeschriebene Disziplin des saṃnyāsa (Entsagung).

Word by Word

• भस्म: ash
• भस्म: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन्/भस्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-समासार्थ (3rd sense) एकवचनार्थे; समासपूर्वपद (with ash)

• उद्धूलितसर्वाङ्गः: whose whole body was smeared with ash
• उद्धूलितसर्वाङ्गः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + धूलि/धूल् (धातु) → उद्धूलित (कृदन्त) + सर्व + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (भस्मना उद्धूलितानि सर्वाणि अङ्गानि यस्य)

• कन्दमूलफलाशनः: eating bulbs, roots, and fruits
• कन्दमूलफलाशनः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कन्द + मूल + फल + आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कन्द-मूल-फलानि आशनं यस्य/कन्दमूलफलैः आशनः)

• शान्तः: calm
• शान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘शम्’ धातोः क्त (pacified)

• दान्तः: restrained
• दान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘दम्’ धातोः क्त (self-controlled)

• जितक्रोधः: one who has conquered anger
• जितक्रोधः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त) + क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (जितः क्रोधः येन)

• संन्यासविधिम्: the rule/discipline of renunciation
• संन्यासविधिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संन्यास + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (संन्यासस्य विधिः)

• आश्रितः: having resorted to/embraced
• आश्रितः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + श्रि (धातु) → आश्रित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगः (having resorted to)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and the renunciate ideal within a Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Bhasma (sacred ash)
• Saṃnyāsa
• Krodha (anger)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By emphasizing peace, restraint, and victory over anger, the verse points to inner purification: the Atman is approached not by ritual display alone but by mastery of the mind and passions, which reveals the serene Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights practical disciplines aligned with Pashupata-leaning asceticism: bhasma-dhāraṇa (ash as a sign of detachment), mitāhāra/simple diet (roots and fruits), and core yamas such as śama (peace) and dama (sense-control), culminating in saṃnyāsa-vidhi as a structured yogic life.

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

The use of bhasma and ascetic markers commonly associated with Shaiva practice, taught here under Lord Kurma’s authority, reflects the Kurma Purana’s non-sectarian synthesis: Vishnu upholds disciplines honored in Shaiva traditions as valid means toward liberation.