Shloka 30

Saṃnyāsa-dharma — Qualifications, Threefold Renunciation, and the Conduct of the Yati

Devanagari script

एकवासा द्विवासा वा शिखी यज्ञोपवीतवान् / कमण्डलुकरो विद्वान् त्रिदण्डी याति तत्परम्

Transliteration

ekavāsā dvivāsā vā śikhī yajñopavītavān / kamaṇḍalukaro vidvān tridaṇḍī yāti tatparam

Translation

In einem Gewand oder in zweien, die Śikhā (Haarquaste) bewahrend und das Yajñopavīta (heilige Schnur) tragend, mit dem Kamaṇḍalu (Wassergefäß) in der Hand; gelehrt, den Tridaṇḍa (dreifachen Stab) haltend, schreitet er mit einspitzigem Sinn zu jenem höchsten Ziel.

Word by Word

• एकवासा: wearing a single garment
• एकवासा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकवासा (प्रातिपदिक; एक + वासस्/वास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (एकं वासः यस्य)

• द्विवासा: wearing two garments
• द्विवासा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्विवासा (प्रातिपदिक; द्वि + वासस्/वास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (द्वे वाससी यस्य)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (disjunctive particle)

• शिखी: having a topknot
• शिखी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; शिखा-युक्तः (one with a topknot)

• यज्ञोपवीतवान्: wearing the sacred thread
• यज्ञोपवीतवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यज्ञोपवीतवत् (प्रातिपदिक; यज्ञोपवीत + वत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (वत् = possessing); यज्ञोपवीत = तत्पुरुष (यज्ञस्य उपवीतम्)

• कमण्डलुकरः: holding a water-pot (kamaṇḍalu)
• कमण्डलुकरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कमण्डलुकर (प्रातिपदिक; कमण्डलु + कर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (कमण्डलुं करोति/धारयति इति; or 'having a kamaṇḍalu in hand')

• विद्वान्: a learned man
• विद्वान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणार्थे (learned)

• त्रिदण्डी: one who bears the triple staff
• त्रिदण्डी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिदण्डिन् (प्रातिपदिक; त्रि + दण्डिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (त्रयः दण्डाः यस्य/धारयति)

• याति: goes/attains
• याति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तत्परम्: that supreme goal/state
• तत्परम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक; तत् + पर)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (तस्मिन् परः)

Speaker

Traditional narration within Kurma Purana’s dharma-teaching context (renunciate discipline described in the text; commonly framed as instruction in the Purana’s dialogue tradition).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It points to the “Supreme Goal” (tat-param) as the end of renunciation—implying liberation-oriented pursuit beyond external identity, where disciplined life is directed toward realization of the highest reality.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes saṃnyāsa-discipline as a yogic support: the tridaṇḍa signifies restraint of body, speech, and mind, and the ascetic’s simplicity (minimal clothing, kamaṇḍalu) cultivates steadiness and one-pointedness toward liberation.

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

Rather than naming either deity, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative approach: liberation is pursued through disciplined dharma and yoga, a framework shared across Shaiva and Vaishnava streams within the Purana’s synthesis.