Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
Varnāśrama-Krama, Vairāgya as the Ground of Saṃnyāsa, and Brahmārpaṇa Karma-yoga
कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं सङ्गवर्जितम् / क्रियते विदुषा कर्म तद्भवेदपि मोक्षदम्
kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṃ saṅgavarjitam / kriyate viduṣā karma tadbhavedapi mokṣadam
L’acte établi comme devoir prescrit, accompli sans attachement, uniquement parce qu’« il doit être fait », lorsqu’il est entrepris par le sage, peut même accorder la délivrance (mokṣa).
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and liberating action (karma-yoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
By teaching action without attachment, the verse points to inner freedom: when the sense of doership and craving for results is relinquished, the Self is no longer bound by karma, making realization (and thus liberation) possible.
It emphasizes karma-yoga: disciplined performance of prescribed duties (niyata-karma) with saṅga-tyāga (renunciation of attachment). This is a foundational purification practice that supports higher yogic absorption and knowledge.
The teaching aligns with shared yogic-dharmic principles honored in both Shaiva and Vaishnava streams—purifying action offered without attachment—reflecting the Kurma Purana’s synthetic approach rather than sectarian opposition.