Shloka 17
Bhojana-vidhi and Nitya-karman: Directions for Eating, Prāṇa-Oblations, Sandhyā, and Conduct Leading to Apavarga
नाश्नीयात् प्रेक्षमाणानामप्रदायैव दुर्मतिः / न यज्ञशिष्टादन्द् वा न क्रुद्धो नान्यमानसः
nāśnīyāt prekṣamāṇānāmapradāyaiva durmatiḥ / na yajñaśiṣṭādand vā na kruddho nānyamānasaḥ
L’homme à l’esprit insensé ne doit pas manger sous le regard d’autrui sans d’abord lui en offrir une part. Qu’il ne mange pas non plus une nourriture qui ne soit pas le reste d’un yajña (sacrifice); qu’il ne mange ni dans la colère, ni l’esprit fixé ailleurs.
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing sages on dharma and disciplined living
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
By forbidding eating in anger or with a distracted mind, the verse implies that inner steadiness (citta-prasāda) is essential for dharmic life—an indirect preparation for Self-knowledge, where the Atman is realized through a calm, undivided awareness.
It emphasizes practical yoga of restraint: mindful eating, freedom from krodha (anger), and ekāgratā (one-pointed attention). Such āhāra-śuddhi and manas-śuddhi are foundational disciplines that support higher contemplative practices taught in the Kurma Purana’s Yoga-oriented sections.
Though not naming Śiva directly, the teaching reflects the Purana’s shared Shaiva–Vaishnava ethic: disciplined conduct, consecrated food (yajña-śiṣṭa), and mental purity are upheld as universal dharma supportive of devotion and liberation in both traditions.