Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 39
Snātaka and Gṛhastha-Dharma: Conduct, Marriage Norms, Daily Rites, and Liberating Virtues
नित्यधर्मार्थकामेषु युज्येत नियतो द्विजः / न धर्मवर्जितं काममर्थं वा मनसा स्मरेत्
nityadharmārthakāmeṣu yujyeta niyato dvijaḥ / na dharmavarjitaṃ kāmamarthaṃ vā manasā smaret
A disciplined twice-born person should constantly apply himself to dharma, artha, and kāma; and he should not even entertain in his mind any desire or pursuit of wealth that is devoid of dharma.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing sages on dharma (Kurma Purana discourse style)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
Indirectly: it teaches that even mental intention must be purified by dharma, implying an inner ruler (ātman) best approached through disciplined, dharma-aligned thought and action rather than impulse.
It emphasizes niyama-like discipline and mental restraint (manasa-śuddhi): not merely controlling actions, but refusing to dwell on adharma-based desires—an ethical prerequisite for higher Yoga and Pashupata-style inner purification.
By grounding spiritual life in dharma-first discipline, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis: devotion and liberation—whether framed through Shiva’s Pashupata path or Vishnu’s instruction—begin with the same dharmic purification.