Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 58

Daily Duties of Brāhmaṇas: Snāna, Sandhyā, Sūrya-hṛdaya, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and the Pañca-mahāyajñas

Devanagari script

परकीयनिपानेषु न स्नायाद् वै कदाचन / पञ्चपिण्डान् समुद्धृत्य स्नायाद् वासंभवे पुनः

Transliteration

parakīyanipāneṣu na snāyād vai kadācana / pañcapiṇḍān samuddhṛtya snāyād vāsaṃbhave punaḥ

Translation

No debe uno bañarse jamás en abrevaderos o lugares de agua que pertenezcan a otros. Si, tras tocar un lugar impuro, es necesario bañarse de nuevo, primero han de sacarse cinco terrones (de tierra) y luego bañarse otra vez.

Word by Word

• parakīya-nipāneṣu: in others' drinking-places/watering spots
• parakīya-nipāneṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parakīya (प्रातिपदिक) + nipāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural; कर्मधारय-समास (परकीयानि nipānāni)

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• snāyāt: should bathe
• snāyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √snā (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Ātmanepada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात) for emphasis/assurance

• kadācana: ever/at any time
• kadācana: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kadācana (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (कालवाचक)

• pañca-piṇḍān: five lumps/balls
• pañca-piṇḍān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañca (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + piṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; द्विगु-समास (पञ्चसंख्यकाः पिण्डाः)

• samuddhṛtya: having taken out/removed
• samuddhṛtya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ud-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), indeclinable verbal form (अव्ययभाव)

• snāyāt: should bathe
• snāyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √snā (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Ātmanepada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• vāsaṃbhave: in a dwelling-place/at home (place of residence)
• vāsaṃbhave: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāsaṃbhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• punaḥ: again/then
• punaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (पुनरावृत्ति-वाचक)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the dharma-instructions as taught in the Kurma Purana tradition)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Kurma
• Vishnu
• Shiva
• Dharma

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing outer purity (śauca) as a support for inner steadiness, it aligns with the Purana’s view that disciplined conduct prepares the mind for knowledge of the Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights preparatory yogic discipline—śauca (purity) and restraint in conduct—supporting meditation and mantra-japa by reducing distraction and ritual impurity.

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

The verse is primarily dharma-oriented rather than sectarian; its purity discipline is shared across Shaiva and Vaishnava practice, reflecting the Kurma Purana’s integrative approach to devotion and yoga.