Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 70
Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara
एकेनाप्यथ हीनेन व्रतमस्य तु लुप्यते / तस्मादात्मगुणोपेतो मद्व्रतं वोढुमर्हति
ekenāpyatha hīnena vratamasya tu lupyate / tasmādātmaguṇopeto madvrataṃ voḍhumarhati
Fehlt auch nur eine einzige Vorschrift, wird dieses Gelübde verdorben. Darum ist nur derjenige, der Selbstzucht und die Tugenden des inneren Selbst besitzt, würdig, Mein Gelübde auf sich zu nehmen und zu bewahren.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching in the Ishvara Gita section
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It implies that spiritual practice succeeds only when rooted in ātmaguṇa—inner virtues like self-mastery and purity—showing that realization is not merely external ritual but an inwardly grounded discipline.
The verse stresses yogic integrity: observances (vrata/niyama-like disciplines) must be complete and supported by self-control and steadiness—key prerequisites in the Kurma Purana’s Ishvara Gita ethos and its Pashupata-oriented sadhana.
By presenting “My vow” as a universal dharmic-yogic discipline grounded in inner virtues, the teaching aligns with the Purana’s synthesis where Shaiva-Pashupata discipline and Vaishnava devotion converge in a single standard of spiritual qualification.