Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18
Avimukta-Māhātmya — Vyāsa in Vārāṇasī and Śiva’s Secret Teaching of Liberation
सांख्ययोगस्तथा ध्यानं कर्मयोगो ऽथ वैदिकः / आयासबहुला लोके यानि चान्यानि शङ्कर
sāṃkhyayogastathā dhyānaṃ karmayogo 'tha vaidikaḥ / āyāsabahulā loke yāni cānyāni śaṅkara
«Le sāṅkhya-yoga, la méditation (dhyāna) et le karma-yoga, ainsi que la voie védique des rites—et toutes les autres disciplines du monde, ô Śaṅkara—sont pour les hommes, pour l’essentiel, lourdes d’efforts et de peine.»
A devotee/sage addressing Lord Śiva (Śaṅkara) within the Kurma Purana’s Purva-bhaga discourse context
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
Indirectly: it does not define Ātman here, but it frames many classical approaches (Sāṅkhya, dhyāna, karma, Vedic rites) as effort-heavy, preparing the ground for a teaching where realization of the Supreme is presented through a more accessible, grace-aligned path.
It names Sāṅkhya-yoga (discriminative insight), dhyāna (meditation), karma-yoga (consecrated action), and the vaidika path (Vedic ritual discipline), emphasizing that these are commonly experienced as demanding in practice.
By addressing Śiva respectfully while discussing yogic means, the verse fits the Kurma Purana’s integrative tone where sectarian boundaries soften and spiritual disciplines are evaluated by efficacy and accessibility rather than exclusivity—supporting Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony.