Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 72
Dāna-dharma: Types of Charity, Worthy Recipients, Vrata-Timings, and Śiva–Viṣṇu Propitiation
वेदानधीत्य सकलान् यज्ञांश्चावाप्य सर्वशः / न तां गतिमवाप्नोति सङ्कोचाद् यामवाप्नुयात्
vedānadhītya sakalān yajñāṃścāvāpya sarvaśaḥ / na tāṃ gatimavāpnoti saṅkocād yāmavāpnuyāt
Even after studying all the Vedas and obtaining the fruits of sacrifices in every way, one does not attain that highest state which one could have attained—because of inner contraction (narrowness of heart and mind).
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and inner disposition over mere ritual attainment
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It implies that the highest attainment is not produced by external merit alone; it is approached through inner expansion—purity, openness, and freedom from constricted ego—by which realization becomes possible.
The verse points to inner discipline central to Yoga-shastra: overcoming saṅkoca (mental narrowing) through cultivated sattva—self-restraint, devotion, and inward steadiness—so that knowledge and worship become transformative rather than merely formal.
While not naming them directly, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthetic stance: the supreme goal is accessed through inner purification and devotion rather than sectarian ritual identity—harmonizing Shaiva-Vaishnava approaches in a shared yogic ethic.