Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 51
Daily Duties of Brāhmaṇas: Snāna, Sandhyā, Sūrya-hṛdaya, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and the Pañca-mahāyajñas
विना दर्भेण यत्कर्म विना सूत्रेण वा पुनः / राक्षसं तद्भवेत् सर्वं नामुत्रेह फलप्रदम्
vinā darbheṇa yatkarma vinā sūtreṇa vā punaḥ / rākṣasaṃ tadbhavet sarvaṃ nāmutreha phalapradam
Tout rite accompli sans l’herbe darbha, ou encore sans le cordon sacré (yajñopavīta), devient entièrement de nature « rākṣasa » et ne porte aucun fruit, ni en ce monde ni dans l’autre.
Traditional narrator voice within the Kurma Purana’s dharma-instruction (śāstra-vacana), presented in the dialogue framework of the Purva-bhaga
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
Indirectly: it emphasizes that dharmic action must align with śāstra and purity; such disciplined karma becomes a support for inner purification that prepares the seeker for Atman-realization taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.
This verse is about karma-kāṇḍa discipline rather than meditation: it stresses śāstra-conformity and ritual purity (using darbha and yajñopavīta) as preparatory foundations that support sādhana, including later yogic and devotional practices.
It reflects the Purana’s synthesis by prioritizing a shared dharmic standard: regardless of whether worship is directed in a Shaiva or Vaishnava mode, actions must be śāstra-aligned to bear fruit—dharma is the common ground.