Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 19

Rules of Food, Acceptance, and Purity for the Twice-Born

Dvija-Śauca and Anna-Doṣa

Devanagari script

वृन्ताकं नालिकाशाकं कुसुम्भाश्मन्तकं तथा / पलाण्डुं लशुनं शुक्तं निर्यासं चैव वर्जयेत्

Transliteration

vṛntākaṃ nālikāśākaṃ kusumbhāśmantakaṃ tathā / palāṇḍuṃ laśunaṃ śuktaṃ niryāsaṃ caiva varjayet

Translation

Debe evitarse la berenjena, la verdura llamada nālikā-śāka, el cártamo (kusumbha) y la hoja verde conocida como āśmantaka; asimismo la cebolla, el ajo, los alimentos agrios o fermentados, y las exudaciones resinosas.

Word by Word

• वृन्ताकम्: eggplant/brinjal
• वृन्ताकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृन्ताक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• नालिकाशाकम्: a kind of stalk/pipe-vegetable greens
• नालिकाशाकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नालिका + शाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (नालिकायाः शाकम्)

• कुसुम्भाश्मन्तकम्: kusumbha and aśmantaka (plants)
• कुसुम्भाश्मन्तकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसुम्भ + अश्मन्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (कुसुम्भः च अश्मन्तकः च)

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: likewise/also)

• पलाण्डुम्: onion
• पलाण्डुम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पलाण्डु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• लशुनम्: garlic
• लशुनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लशुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• शुक्तम्: sour/fermented food; vinegar-like
• शुक्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• निर्यासम्: exudation/resin/juice
• निर्यासम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• एव: indeed
• एव: अवधारण (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात

• वर्जयेत्: should avoid
• वर्जयेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृज्/√वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Traditional narration in the Kurma Purana’s dharma-teaching context (instructional voice attributed to the Purana’s authoritative discourse, associated with Lord Kurma’s teaching tradition).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification through disciplined diet, a supporting condition for steadiness of mind and clarity required for realizing the Atman taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana’s higher instruction.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Āhāra-niyama (dietary restraint) is highlighted as a practical limb supporting Yoga—reducing agitation and heaviness so japa, dhyāna, and devotion-based contemplation can mature in a Pāśupata-oriented discipline.

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

By focusing on shared dharma and yogic discipline rather than sectarian difference: the Kurma Purana’s Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis commonly presents ethical restraints (like diet control) as universally valid supports for devotion and liberation.