Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Yuga-Dharma: The Four Ages, Decline of Dharma, and the Rise of Social Order
दोषाणां दर्शनाच्चैव द्वापरे ज्ञानसंभवः / एषा रजस्तमोयुक्ता वृत्तिर्वै द्वापरे स्मृता
doṣāṇāṃ darśanāccaiva dvāpare jñānasaṃbhavaḥ / eṣā rajastamoyuktā vṛttirvai dvāpare smṛtā
Indeed, because faults are perceived, in the Dvāpara age discriminative knowledge (viveka) arises. This way of life—mingled with rajas and tamas—is remembered as the characteristic disposition of Dvāpara.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing sages/seekers on dharma and yuga-characteristics
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
By implying that true knowledge (jñāna) arises through discerning defects (doṣa-darśana) in conditioned life, the verse points toward Atman-realization as a discriminative turning away from rajas–tamas and toward inner clarity.
The verse emphasizes viveka (discernment) as a yogic foundation: noticing the limitations of rajas and tamas supports vairāgya (detachment) and steadies practice—central to Kurma Purana’s broader yoga-dharma framework, including Pāśupata-oriented discipline and purification of conduct (vṛtti-śuddhi).
While not naming Shiva directly, the teaching aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: the same Supreme Lord who teaches as Kurma (Vishnu) also upholds the Shaiva yogic emphasis on purifying vṛttis and transcending rajas–tamas—showing unity in doctrine and goal.