Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37

Svāyambhuva Lineage to Dakṣa; Pṛthu’s Devotion; Pāśupata Saṃnyāsa; Dakṣa–Satī Episode

Devanagari script

सांन्यासिकं विधिं कृत्स्नं कारयित्वा विचक्षणः / ददौ तदैश्वरं ज्ञानं स्वशाखाविहितं व्रतम्

Transliteration

sāṃnyāsikaṃ vidhiṃ kṛtsnaṃ kārayitvā vicakṣaṇaḥ / dadau tadaiśvaraṃ jñānaṃ svaśākhāvihitaṃ vratam

Translation

Après avoir fait accomplir en totalité, selon la règle, la discipline du saṃnyāsa, le sage transmit alors l’aiśvara-jñāna, la connaissance du Seigneur, ainsi que le vœu (vrata) prescrit par sa propre śākhā védique.

Word by Word

• सांन्यासिकम्: pertaining to renunciation (sannyāsa)
• सांन्यासिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सांन्यासिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (vidhim इति विशेष्यस्य)

• विधिम्: rule; procedure; ordinance
• विधिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृत्स्नम्: entire; complete
• कृत्स्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत्स्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (vidhim)

• कारयित्वा: having caused to be performed
• कारयित्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), परस्मैपदी; ‘कारयित्वा’ = having caused (to be done)

• विचक्षणः: discerning; wise
• विचक्षणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषणम् (ददौ इत्यस्य कर्तुः)

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपदी

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• ऐश्वरम्: divine; lordly; pertaining to Īśvara
• ऐश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऐश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (ज्ञानम्)

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्वशाखाविहितम्: prescribed in one’s own branch (of Veda/tradition)
• स्वशाखाविहितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व-शाखा-विहित (प्रातिपदिक); स्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + शाखा (प्रातिपदिक) + विहित (कृदन्त, धा√)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (स्वशाखायाः विहितम्) विशेषणम् (व्रतम्)

• व्रतम्: vow; observance
• व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (ज्ञानस्य विशेषणरूपेण अपि पठ्यते)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration, describing a teacher conferring initiation/teaching after saṃnyāsa-rite)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Īśvara
• Saṃnyāsa
• Vedic Śākhā
• Vrata

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames liberation-oriented practice as culminating in aiśvara-jñāna—knowledge of Īśvara—implying that realization is transmitted and stabilized through disciplined renunciation and observance, rather than mere ritualism.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights saṃnyāsa-vidhi and vrata as the structured foundation for inner practice—ethical restraints, regulated conduct, and a renouncer’s discipline—through which higher knowledge (Īśvara-centered contemplation) is conferred and maintained.

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

By emphasizing aiśvara-jñāna (knowledge of the one Lord) within orthodox śākhā-based discipline, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology where devotion and knowledge of Īśvara can be read in a Shaiva-Vaishnava harmonizing framework.