Shloka 37
Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)
न देवगुरुविप्राणां दीयमानं तु वारयेत् / न चात्मानं प्रशंसेद् वा परनिन्दां च वर्जयेत् / वेदनिन्दां देवनिन्दां प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत्
na devaguruviprāṇāṃ dīyamānaṃ tu vārayet / na cātmānaṃ praśaṃsed vā paranindāṃ ca varjayet / vedanindāṃ devanindāṃ prayatnena vivarjayet
Qu’on n’entrave pas ce qui est offert aux dieux, au maître (guru) ou aux brahmanes. Qu’on ne se loue pas soi-même et qu’on évite de dénigrer autrui. Avec vigilance, qu’on s’abstienne de blasphémer les Veda et de blasphémer les divinités.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in a dharma-teaching context
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It does so indirectly: by prohibiting self-praise and condemning slander, the verse trains humility and purity of speech—ethical disciplines that steady the mind and make it fit for realizing the Self beyond ego.
It emphasizes preparatory yogic ethics—restraint in speech (avoiding nindā), humility (dropping self-advertisement), and reverence for śruti and devatā. Such conduct supports inner purification that undergirds Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā in the Kurma Purana.
By insisting on non-blasphemy toward the devas and reverence for Vedic authority, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthetic stance: devotion and discipline should not become sectarian contempt, but remain grounded in dharma and respect for the divine order.