Shloka 52

Dāna-dharma: Types of Charity, Worthy Recipients, Vrata-Timings, and Śiva–Viṣṇu Propitiation

Devanagari script

असिपत्रवनं मार्गं क्षुरधारासमन्वितम् / तीव्रितापं च तरति छत्रोपानत्प्रदो नरः

Transliteration

asipatravanaṃ mārgaṃ kṣuradhārāsamanvitam / tīvritāpaṃ ca tarati chatropānatprado naraḥ

Translation

Wer Schirme und Schuhwerk spendet, überschreitet den Weg durch den Wald der Schwertblätter, scharf wie Rasierklingen, und gelangt jenseits seiner sengenden Qual.

Word by Word

• asi-patra-vanam: the forest of sword-leaves
• asi-patra-vanam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asi (प्रातिपदिक) + patra (प्रातिपदिक) + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (असि-पत्राणां वनम्)

• mārgam: path
• mārgam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• kṣura-dhārā-samanvitam: accompanied by razor-edges
• kṣura-dhārā-samanvitam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣura (प्रातिपदिक) + dhārā (प्रातिपदिक) + samanvita (कृदन्त/ppp from सम्+√i, धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम् (qualifying mārga/vanam); तत्पुरुषः (क्षुरधाराभिः समन्वितम्)

• tīvra-tāpam: intense heat
• tīvra-tāpam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīvra (प्रातिपदिक) + tāpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारयः (तीव्रः तापः)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• tarati: crosses
• tarati: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tṛ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• chatra-upānat-pradaḥ: a giver of umbrella and footwear
• chatra-upānat-pradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chatra (प्रातिपदिक) + upānat (प्रातिपदिक) + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (छत्रं च उपानत् च प्रददाति इति)

• naraḥ: a man
• naraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna (didactic discourse on dāna and dharma)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Lord Kurma
• Indradyumna
• Asipatravana
• Dāna
• Dharma

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it stresses dharma as a purifying discipline—ethical action (dāna) reduces suffering and prepares the mind for higher knowledge of the Self taught elsewhere in the Purana (including the Ishvara-Gītā).

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No direct āsana or meditation is stated; the verse highlights karma-yoga in the form of dāna—compassionate giving that supports travelers (shade and protection for the feet), a foundational purification that complements later Pāśupata-style discipline and devotion.

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

By emphasizing dharma and merit as universal means to overcome suffering, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis: the same righteous conduct supports devotion and liberation whether framed through Vishnu as Kurma or through Shaiva/Pāśupata teaching elsewhere.