Shloka 22

Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen

Devanagari script

व्यत्यस्तपाणिना कार्यमुपसंग्रहणं गुरोः / सव्येन सव्यः स्प्रष्टव्यो दक्षिणेन तु दक्षिणः

Transliteration

vyatyastapāṇinā kāryamupasaṃgrahaṇaṃ guroḥ / savyena savyaḥ spraṣṭavyo dakṣiṇena tu dakṣiṇaḥ

Translation

En s’approchant du Guru pour le saluer avec respect, on doit le faire les mains croisées : le côté gauche est touché par la main gauche, et le côté droit par la main droite.

Word by Word

• vyatyasta-pāṇinā: with crossed hands
• vyatyasta-pāṇinā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyatyasta (कृदन्त) + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग)

• kāryam: should be done
• kāryam: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kārya (कृदन्त: कृत्य)
• Form: Gerundive/obligative (कृत्य), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• upasaṃgrahaṇam: the act of clasping (feet) / respectful grasping
• upasaṃgrahaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upasaṃgrahaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• guroḥ: of the teacher
• guroḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• savyena: with the left (hand)
• savyena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: savya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग) or Masculine used instrumentally; Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• savyaḥ: the left (side/hand)
• savyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: savya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• spraṣṭavyaḥ: is to be touched
• spraṣṭavyaḥ: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √spṛś (स्पृश्) + tavya (कृत्य)
• Form: Gerundive (कृत्य: तव्यत्), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• dakṣiṇena: with the right (hand)
• dakṣiṇena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग) or Masculine used instrumentally; Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/contrast)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Adversative/contrast particle (तु-निपात)

• dakṣiṇaḥ: the right (side/hand)
• dakṣiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating Purāṇic dharma-teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Śiṣya

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It does not directly define Ātman; instead, it teaches disciplined reverence toward the Guru—an essential preparatory dharma that supports inner purification, which in turn enables knowledge of the Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes niyama-like discipline (ācāra/śaucācāra) and humility in Guru-sevā—foundational supports for higher Yoga, including the Pāśupata-oriented restraint and devotion that the Kurma Purana later develops.

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

It does not explicitly mention Śiva or Viṣṇu; its non-sectarian dharma focus aligns with the Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis where right conduct and Guru-reverence serve as a shared foundation for both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava paths.