Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 27

Bhojana-vidhi and Nitya-karman: Directions for Eating, Prāṇa-Oblations, Sandhyā, and Conduct Leading to Apavarga

Devanagari script

हुत्वाग्निं विधिवन्मन्त्रैर्भुक्त्वा यज्ञावशिष्टकम् / सभृत्यबान्धवजनः स्वपेच्छुष्कपदो निशि

Transliteration

hutvāgniṃ vidhivanmantrairbhuktvā yajñāvaśiṣṭakam / sabhṛtyabāndhavajanaḥ svapecchuṣkapado niśi

Translation

Having duly offered into the sacred fire with the prescribed mantras, and having eaten what remains from the sacrifice, he should at night sleep—together with servants, relatives, and dependents—on a dry, plain sleeping-place, as he chooses.

Word by Word

• hutvā: having offered (into fire)
• hutvā: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √hu (धातु) → hutvā (कृदन्त, त्वा-प्रत्यय/क्त्वान्त)
• Form: Kṛdanta indeclinable gerund (क्त्वान्त/त्वा), pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)

• agnim: fire
• agnim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• vidhivat: according to the prescribed rule
• vidhivat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) meaning 'according to rule'

• mantraiḥ: with mantras
• mantraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana (बहुवचन); instrumental of means

• bhuktvā: having eaten
• bhuktvā: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु) → bhuktvā (कृदन्त, क्त्वान्त)
• Form: Kṛdanta indeclinable gerund (क्त्वान्त), pūrvakāla-kriyā

• yajña-avaśiṣṭakam: the remainder of the sacrifice (leftover offering/food)
• yajña-avaśiṣṭakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + avaśiṣṭaka (प्रातिपदिक; from ava-√śiṣ)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; object of bhuktvā

• sa-bhṛtya-bāndhava-janaḥ: (he) along with servants and relatives/people
• sa-bhṛtya-bāndhava-janaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (उपपद/अव्यय) + bhṛtya (प्रातिपदिक) + bāndhava (प्रातिपदिक) + jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'with attendants and kinsmen/people' (सह-समास/उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• svapet: should sleep
• svapet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √svap (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• śuṣka-padaḥ: with dry feet
• śuṣka-padaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuṣka (प्रातिपदिक) + pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya 'dry-footed' qualifying the subject

• niśi: at night
• niśi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśā/niśi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; locative of time

Speaker

Vyasa (narratorial instruction within the Kurma Purana’s dharma discourse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Yajña
• Mantra

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification through yajña and disciplined living; such sattvic regulation supports inner clarity, which the Purana elsewhere presents as conducive to realizing the Atman.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

A preparatory discipline (niyama) for yogic life: ritual order (vidhivat), sanctified food (yajñāvaśiṣṭa), and simple living (dry, plain sleeping place) that reduces tamas and supports steadiness of mind.

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

Not explicitly; it reflects the Purana’s shared dharma framework—yajña, mantra, and disciplined conduct—within which the text later harmonizes Shaiva and Vaishnava paths as complementary means to purification and liberation.