Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 24

Snātaka and Gṛhastha-Dharma: Conduct, Marriage Norms, Daily Rites, and Liberating Virtues

Devanagari script

मातापित्रोर्हिते युक्तो गोब्राह्मणहिते रतः / दान्तो यज्वा देवभक्तो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

Transliteration

mātāpitrorhite yukto gobrāhmaṇahite rataḥ / dānto yajvā devabhakto brahmaloke mahīyate

Translation

Wer dem Wohl von Mutter und Vater zugetan ist, sich am Wohl der Kühe und der Brahmanen erfreut, selbstbezähmt ist, Opfer (Yajña) vollzieht und den Göttern ergeben ist—der wird in Brahmaloka, der Welt Brahmans, hoch geehrt.

Word by Word

• माता-पित्रोः: of (his) mother and father
• माता-पित्रोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातृ (प्रातिपदिक) + पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (द्वन्द्वे पुंवद्भाव), षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), द्विवचन; ‘of mother and father’

• हिते: in (their) welfare
• हिते: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (कृदन्त; √धा धातु, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण: ‘in/with regard to welfare’

• युक्तः: engaged
• युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण: ‘engaged/intent’

• गो-ब्राह्मण-हिते: in the welfare of cows and Brahmins
• गो-ब्राह्मण-हिते: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक) + हित (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण: ‘in the welfare of cows and Brahmins’

• रतः: devoted
• रतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत (कृदन्त; √रम् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण: ‘delighting/attached’

• दान्तः: self-controlled
• दान्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त (कृदन्त; √दम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: ‘self-controlled’

• यज्वा: sacrificer
• यज्वा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्वन् (प्रातिपदिक; √यज् धातु-सम्बद्ध)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘sacrificer/one who performs yajña’

• देव-भक्तः: devoted to the gods
• देव-भक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (कृदन्त; √भज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण: ‘devoted to the gods’

• ब्रह्म-लोके: in Brahma’s world
• ब्रह्म-लोके: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण: ‘in Brahma-world’

• महीयते: is honored / is glorified
• महीयते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive), आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Traditional narration context (Purana narrator to the listening sages); verse presents a general dharma teaching rather than a named character’s direct speech.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Brahmaloka
• Gobrāhmaṇa

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes dharmic conduct—service, restraint, sacrifice, and devotion—as purifying disciplines that elevate consciousness toward higher realms (Brahmaloka), preparing one for deeper realization.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds foundational yogic virtues: dama (self-restraint), bhakti (devotion), and yajña-oriented karma (sacrificial duty). In Kurma Purana’s broader spiritual framework, these support inner purification that complements higher contemplative paths.

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

It does so implicitly through a synthetic dharma lens: devotion to “the gods” and disciplined duty are upheld as universally valid, aligning with the Kurma Purana’s tendency to harmonize sectarian paths through shared ethical and ritual foundations.