Shloka 76

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

Devanagari script

नास्थिभस्मकपालानि न केशान्न च कण्टकान् / तुषाङ्गारकरीषं वा नाधितिष्ठेत् कदाचन

Transliteration

nāsthibhasmakapālāni na keśānna ca kaṇṭakān / tuṣāṅgārakarīṣaṃ vā nādhitiṣṭhet kadācana

Translation

Man soll niemals auf Knochen, Asche oder Schädel treten; ebenso wenig auf Haare oder Dornen; noch auf Spreu, glühende Kohlen oder Dung.

Word by Word

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

• asthi-bhasma-kapālāni: bones, ashes, and skulls
• asthi-bhasma-kapālāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asthi (प्रातिपदिक) + bhasma (प्रातिपदिक) + kapāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (copulative)

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

• keśān: hair
• keśān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: keśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

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

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• kaṇṭakān: thorns
• kaṇṭakān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṇṭaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• tuṣa-aṅgāra-karīṣam: chaff, charcoal, and dung (as a mass)
• tuṣa-aṅgāra-karīṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tuṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgāra (प्रातिपदिक) + karīṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective)

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

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

• adhitiṣṭhet: should stand upon/step on
• adhitiṣṭhet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: adhi-√sthā (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• kadācana: ever/at any time
• kadācana: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kadācana (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

Speaker

Traditional narrator (Purāṇic instruction within a dharma/ācāra section; framed as authoritative śāstric guidance in the Kurma Purana)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it teaches outer śauca (purity) and careful conduct, which serve as preparatory disciplines for inner clarity—supporting the yogic pursuit of realizing the Atman through a steady, unobstructed mind.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It emphasizes yama-like ethical restraint and mindful bodily discipline—avoiding contact with impure or harmful objects—supporting ritual purity and the focused lifestyle that undergirds Pashupata-oriented sādhana and meditation.

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

By presenting universally applicable dharma-ācāra rather than sectarian markers: the Kurma Purana’s synthesis frames purity and disciplined conduct as common ground for both Shaiva and Vaishnava worship and yogic practice.