Shloka 68

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

Devanagari script

नाकारणाद् वा निष्ठीवेन्न बाहुभ्यां नदीं तरेत् / न पादक्षालनं कुर्यात् पादेनैव कदाचन

Transliteration

nākāraṇād vā niṣṭhīvenna bāhubhyāṃ nadīṃ taret / na pādakṣālanaṃ kuryāt pādenaiva kadācana

Translation

Man soll nicht ohne triftigen Grund spucken. Man soll einen Fluss nicht schwimmend mit den Armen überqueren. Man soll niemals einen Fuß mit dem anderen Fuß waschen.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• akāraṇāt: without reason
• akāraṇāt: Apadana (अपादानम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक; अ-कारण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन; हेत्वभावार्थ (without cause)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

• niṣṭhīvet: should spit
• niṣṭhīvet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: niṣṭhīv (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• bāhubhyām: with (both) arms
• bāhubhyām: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), द्विवचन

• nadīm: river
• nadīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nadī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• taret: should cross
• taret: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• pādakṣālanam: washing of the feet
• pādakṣālanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda + kṣālana (प्रातिपदिक; पाद + क्षालन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पादस्य क्षालनम्)

• kuryāt: should do
• kuryāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• pādena: with the foot
• pādena: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• eva: only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (only/just)

• kadācana: ever/at any time
• kadācana: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kadācana (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (at any time/ever)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and ritual purity

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Lord Kurma
• Vishnu
• dharma
• shauca

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes shauca (purity) and disciplined conduct, which in the Kurma Purana function as preparatory supports for inner clarity needed for Atman-realization.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to foundational niyamas—especially shauca and restraint of impulsive acts—creating steadiness and cleanliness that support mantra-japa, dhyana, and Pashupata-style disciplined living.

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

By presenting universal dharma (purity and restraint) taught by Lord Kurma, it aligns with the Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis: the same ethical discipline undergirds devotion and yoga whether oriented to Vishnu or Shiva.