Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 6
Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)
न विषं विषमित्याहुर्ब्रह्मस्वं विषमुच्यते / देवस्वं चापि यत्नेन सदा परिहरेत् ततः
na viṣaṃ viṣamityāhurbrahmasvaṃ viṣamucyate / devasvaṃ cāpi yatnena sadā pariharet tataḥ
Dicen que el veneno común no es el peor veneno; el veneno más mortífero es la riqueza de un brahmán (cuando se usurpa). Por ello, con suma cautela, debe evitarse siempre tomar también lo que pertenece a los dioses.
Traditional dharma-instruction voice in the Kurma Purana (narratorial/ācārya tone within the Purva-bhaga teaching context)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
This verse is primarily a dharma-śāstra warning about moral purity: one who seeks inner clarity must avoid grave adharma such as misappropriating brahminical or divine property, since such acts poison the mind and obstruct realization.
No specific technique is taught here; the verse supports Yoga indirectly by emphasizing yama-like restraints (non-stealing, reverence for sacred trusts). In the Kurma Purana’s spiritual framework, ethical restraint is a prerequisite for steadiness in meditation and devotion.
It does not explicitly discuss Shiva–Vishnu unity; instead it reflects the Purana’s shared dharmic foundation across Shaiva and Vaishnava paths—protecting sacred trust (devasva) is obligatory for all devotees, regardless of sect.