Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15
Avimukta-Māhātmya — Vyāsa in Vārāṇasī and Śiva’s Secret Teaching of Liberation
नाश्रद्दधाने दातव्यं नाभक्ते परमेष्ठिनः / न वेदविद्विषु शुभं ज्ञाननानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम्
nāśraddadhāne dātavyaṃ nābhakte parameṣṭhinaḥ / na vedavidviṣu śubhaṃ jñānanānāṃ jñānamuttamam
On ne doit pas donner (cet enseignement) à celui qui est sans foi, ni à celui qui n’a pas de dévotion envers le Parameṣṭhin, le Seigneur suprême. Chez ceux qui haïssent le Veda, rien n’est de bon augure ; parmi toutes les connaissances, la plus haute est celle qui mène au Suprême.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It implies that the highest knowledge is that which culminates in realization of the Supreme (Parameṣṭhin)—the liberating wisdom that transcends mere scholarship and aligns the self with the ultimate reality.
The verse foregrounds śraddhā and bhakti as prerequisites for auspicious spiritual progress—foundational attitudes that support dhyāna, mantra-japa, and disciplined practice in the Purāṇic Yoga framework.
By centering devotion to the Supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin) rather than sectarian hostility and Veda-hatred, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology where devotion to the one Supreme underlies both Shaiva and Vaishnava paths.