Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 54

Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)

Devanagari script

न कुर्यात् कस्यचित् पीडां सुतं शिष्यं च ताडयेत् / न हीनानुपसेवेत न च तीक्ष्णमतीन् क्वचित्

Transliteration

na kuryāt kasyacit pīḍāṃ sutaṃ śiṣyaṃ ca tāḍayet / na hīnānupaseveta na ca tīkṣṇamatīn kvacit

Translation

Füge niemandem Leid zu. Selbst beim Zurechtweisen von Sohn oder Schüler soll man nicht so schlagen, dass es zur Grausamkeit wird. Suche nicht die Nähe der Niedriggesinnten und halte dich niemals zu denen, deren Verstand scharf und verletzend ist.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negative Particle (निषेध)

• kuryāt: should do/cause
• kuryāt: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhilin Lakara (Optative), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Ekavachana (Singular)

• kasyacit: of anyone
• kasyacit: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim + cit (सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Shashthi Vibhakti (Genitive), Ekavachana (Singular)

• pīḍām: pain/suffering
• pīḍām: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pīḍā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dvitiya Vibhakti (Accusative), Ekavachana (Singular)

• sutam: son
• sutam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dvitiya Vibhakti (Accusative), Ekavachana (Singular)

• śiṣyam: student/disciple
• śiṣyam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dvitiya Vibhakti (Accusative), Ekavachana (Singular)

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• tāḍayet: should chastise/discipline
• tāḍayet: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: taḍ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhilin Lakara (Optative), Causal (Nich), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Ekavachana (Singular)

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negative Particle

• hīnān: lowly/inferior people
• hīnān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dvitiya Vibhakti (Accusative), Bahuvachana (Plural)

• upaseveta: should serve/worship
• upaseveta: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-sev (धातु)
• Form: Vidhilin Lakara (Optative), Atmanepada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Ekavachana (Singular)

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negative Particle

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• tīkṣṇamatīn: sharp-minded/cruel-minded people
• tīkṣṇamatīn: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tīkṣṇamati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dvitiya Vibhakti (Accusative), Bahuvachana (Plural)

• kvacit: ever/anywhere
• kvacit: Adhikarana (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kvacit (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of time/place

Speaker

Traditional narration in the Kurma Purana’s dharma-teaching context (instructional voice attributed to the Purana’s authoritative teacher, aligned with Lord Kūrma/Vaiṣṇava-Shaiva dharma exposition).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By prohibiting the causing of pain and discouraging harsh company, the verse supports inner purification (śuddhi) and restraint—conditions that make the recognition of the peaceful, non-injuring nature of the Self (ātman) possible.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It emphasizes yama-like disciplines—especially ahiṃsā (non-harming), self-restraint in correction, and saṅga-tyāga (careful choice of company). These are foundational supports for Pāśupata-oriented sādhana and steady meditation.

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

Indirectly: the shared dharma of non-violence, disciplined conduct, and mental purity is presented as a universal spiritual foundation compatible with both Vaiṣṇava devotion and Śaiva/Pāśupata discipline, reflecting the Kurma Purana’s synthesis.