Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 18

Vānaprastha-Dharma: Forest Discipline, Vaikhānasa Austerities, and Śiva-Āśrama as the Liberative Refuge

Devanagari script

अधः शयीत सततं सावित्रीजाप्यतत्परः / शरण्यः सर्वभूतानां संविभागपरः सदा

Transliteration

adhaḥ śayīta satataṃ sāvitrījāpyatatparaḥ / śaraṇyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ saṃvibhāgaparaḥ sadā

Translation

He should always sleep on a low bed, be devoted to the japa of the Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī) mantra, become a refuge for all beings, and remain constantly intent on fair distribution and sharing.

Word by Word

• अधः: below/on the ground
• अधः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/अवस्थानवाचक-अव्यय (down/below)

• शयीत: should lie/sleep
• शयीत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शी (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• सततम्: constantly
• सततम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण अव्ययीभूत (adverbial accusative)

• सावित्री: Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī)
• सावित्री: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सावित्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासे पूर्वपद (as qualifier)

• जाप्य: (that which is) to be recited
• जाप्य: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: ण्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक (gerundive used as noun) ‘जपनीयम्’

• तत्परः: devoted/intent on it
• तत्परः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्+पर (devoted to that)

• शरण्यः: a refuge/protector
• शरण्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘शरणं दाति’ इति अर्थे

• सर्वभूतानाम्: of all beings
• सर्वभूतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वभूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—सर्व+भूत (all beings)

• संविभागपरः: devoted to sharing
• संविभागपरः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संविभागपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—संविभाग+पर (intent on sharing/distribution)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (always)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating traditional dharma-teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Kurma Purana’s discourse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: by prescribing humility, mantra-japa, and compassion to all beings, it points to the dharmic vision that the same Self is to be honored in everyone, expressed through refuge-giving and equitable sharing.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī) japa is emphasized as a daily discipline; the accompanying restraints—humility (low bed), compassion, and fair sharing—function as ethical supports that stabilize mantra-sādhanā and purify the mind.

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

Not by naming them directly, but by presenting a shared Purāṇic dharma-ethic: mantra, humility, and protection of beings are upheld as universal virtues consistent with the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis.