Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 56

Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen

Devanagari script

वेदयज्ञैरहीनानां प्रशस्तानां स्वकर्मसु / ब्रह्मचर्याहरेद् भैक्षं गृहेभ्यः प्रयतो ऽन्वहम्

Transliteration

vedayajñairahīnānāṃ praśastānāṃ svakarmasu / brahmacaryāhared bhaikṣaṃ gṛhebhyaḥ prayato 'nvaham

Translation

A self-restrained brahmacārin should daily go for alms, with due care, to the houses of those who are not deficient in Vedic study and sacrificial duties, and who are reputable in performing their prescribed works.

Word by Word

• veda-yajñaiḥ: by Vedas and sacrifices
• veda-yajñaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक) + yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (copulative: “Vedas and sacrifices”); पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instr./करण), बहुवचन (pl.)

• ahīnānām: of those not lacking
• ahīnānām: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-hīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नञ्-समास/उपसर्गयुक्त विशेषण (“not deficient”); पुंलिङ्ग (m.)/सामान्य, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Gen.), बहुवचन (pl.); ‘gṛhebhyaḥ’ इत्यस्य सम्बन्धिनः (of those houses/people)

• praśastānām: of the approved/commendable
• praśastānām: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.)/सामान्य, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Gen.), बहुवचन (pl.); विशेषणम् (qualified persons/houses)

• sva-karmasu: in their own duties
• sva-karmasu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (“in one’s own duties”); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.) ‘karman’, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Loc.), बहुवचन (pl.)

• brahmacaryā: by (observing) brahmacarya
• brahmacaryā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmacarya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instr.), एकवचन (sg.); साधन/हेतु-भावः (as a means/observance)

• haret: should collect
• haret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद; अर्थः—आहरेत् (should collect/bring)

• bhaikṣam: alms
• bhaikṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaikṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Acc.), एकवचन (sg.)

• gṛhebhyaḥ: from houses
• gṛhebhyaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Abl.), बहुवचन (pl.)

• prayataḥ: restrained, disciplined
• prayataḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prayata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom.), एकवचन (sg.); कर्तृविशेषणम् (adjective of the doer)

• anvaham: daily
• anvaham: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anu-aham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (adverb: “day after day/each day”)

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) relaying the Kurma Purana’s dharma-instructions (Varnashrama code)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Veda
• Yajna
• Brahmacharya
• Bhiksha
• Svadharma

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames brahmacarya and disciplined living as preparatory dharma that purifies the mind, making it fit for later Self-knowledge (ātma-jñāna) taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes yogic restraint in conduct—brahmacarya, daily regulated begging (bhikṣā), and association with dharmic households—functions like ethical niyamas that support higher meditation and Pāśupata-style discipline.

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

Not explicitly; it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis by rooting spiritual attainment in shared dharma (Vedic duty, purity, restraint) that undergirds both Śaiva (Pāśupata) and Vaiṣṇava paths.