Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti

Devanagari script

प्रणवासक्तमनसो रुद्रजप्यपरायणान् / अथर्वशिरसो ऽध्येतृन् धर्मज्ञान् परिवर्जय

Transliteration

praṇavāsaktamanaso rudrajapyaparāyaṇān / atharvaśiraso 'dhyetṛn dharmajñān parivarjaya

Translation

जिनका मन केवल प्रणव (ॐ) में आसक्त है, जो केवल रुद्र-मंत्रजप में ही तत्पर हैं, और जो मात्र अथर्वशिर का अध्ययन करते हैं—धर्म की बातें जानते हुए भी—ऐसों का परित्याग करो।

Word by Word

• praṇavāsaktamanasaḥ: those whose minds are attached to Om (Pranava)
• praṇavāsaktamanasaḥ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇavāsaktamanas (प्रणवासक्तमनस्)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural (Arsha usage or a-stem declension)

• rudrajapyaparāyaṇān: intent on chanting Rudra prayers
• rudrajapyaparāyaṇān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudrajapyaparāyaṇa (रुद्रजप्यपरायण)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• atharvaśirasaḥ: of the Atharvashiras (Upanishad)
• atharvaśirasaḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: atharvaśiras (अथर्वशिरस्)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (Shasthi), Singular

• adhyetṛn: reciters/students
• adhyetṛn: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhyetṛ (अध्येतृ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• dharmajñān: knowers of Dharma
• dharmajñān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharmajña (धर्मज्ञ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• parivarjaya: completely avoid
• parivarjaya: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-vṛj (परि-वृज्)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Madhyama Purusha (2nd), Singular; Causative

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in a dharma-teaching dialogue

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Pranava (Oṁ)
• Rudra
• Atharvaśiras

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it warns that fixation on a single external marker (like mere Oṁ or mantra-recitation) is not, by itself, realization; true dharma points beyond one-sided practice toward integrated knowledge and discipline leading to the Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Mantra-oriented practice is referenced (praṇava-focus and Rudra-japa), but the verse emphasizes discernment—Yoga must be supported by right understanding and a balanced dharmic framework rather than sectarian or mechanical repetition alone.

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

By cautioning against exclusivism around Rudra-mantras while speaking within a Vishnu-as-teacher frame, it supports the Purana’s synthesis: reverence for Śiva is not rejected, but narrow, one-sided identity is discouraged in favor of harmonized dharma.