Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti

Devanagari script

बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन स्वधर्मपरिपालकान् / ईश्वराराधनरतान् मन्नियोगान्न मोहय

Transliteration

bahunātra kimuktena svadharmaparipālakān / īśvarārādhanaratān manniyogānna mohaya

Translation

Was braucht es hier noch vieler Worte? Verwirre nicht jene, die ihr eigenes Svadharma bewahren, die in der Verehrung Īśvaras verweilen und nach Meiner Weisung handeln.

Word by Word

• bahunā: by much
• bahunā: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (बहु)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (Tritiya), Singular

• atra: here/in this matter
• atra: Adhikarana (Context)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अत्र)
• Form: Adverb of place/context

• kim: what is the use
• kim: none
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kim (किम्)
• Form: Interrogative particle

• uktena: by speaking/speech
• uktena: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ukta (उक्त)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (Tritiya), Singular; Past Passive Participle used as noun

• svadharmaparipālakān: protectors of their own dharma
• svadharmaparipālakān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svadharmaparipālaka (स्वधर्मपरिपालक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• īśvarārādhanaratān: engaged in worship of Ishvara
• īśvarārādhanaratān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īśvarārādhanarata (ईश्वराराधनरत)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• manniyogāt: by my command
• manniyogāt: Hetu (Cause/Reason)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manniyoga (मन्नियोग)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (Panchami), Singular

• na: do not
• na: none
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (न)
• Form: Negative particle

• mohaya: delude
• mohaya: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: muh (मुह्)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Madhyama Purusha (2nd), Singular; Causative (Nich)

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing in a dharma–Īśvara-bhakti context

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Ishvara
• Lord Kurma
• Svadharma
• Varṇāśrama-dharma

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes alignment with Īśvara (the Supreme Lord) through svadharma and devotion; the Self is approached not by confusion or mere debate, but by disciplined duty and God-oriented practice.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to karma-yoga grounded in varṇāśrama svadharma, integrated with īśvara-ārādhana (devotional worship). This is consistent with Kurma Purana’s synthetic path where disciplined action supports higher yogic realization.

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

By centering on Īśvara-worship and obedience to divine ordinance rather than sectarian dispute, it supports the Purana’s non-antagonistic, synthesizing stance where devotion to the Supreme (Īśvara) transcends rigid Shiva–Vishnu division.