Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 28
Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara
बाह्यमाभ्यन्तरं शौचं द्विधा प्रोक्तं द्विजोत्तमाः / मृज्जलाभ्यां स्मृतं बाह्यं मनःशुद्धिरथान्तरम्
bāhyamābhyantaraṃ śaucaṃ dvidhā proktaṃ dvijottamāḥ / mṛjjalābhyāṃ smṛtaṃ bāhyaṃ manaḥśuddhirathāntaram
हे द्विजश्रेष्ठो, शौच दो प्रकार का कहा गया है—बाह्य और आभ्यंतर। मिट्टी और जल से शुद्धि बाह्य शौच है, और मन की शुद्धि आंतरिक शौच है।
Lord Kūrma (as Īśvara) instructing the sages (dvijottamāḥ) within the Ishvara Gita discourse
Primary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By prioritizing manaḥ-śuddhi (purification of mind) as true inner purity, the verse implies that realization of the Self/Īśvara depends on inner transformation rather than merely outward ritual cleanliness.
It frames a core yogic prerequisite: internal śauca—cleansing the mind through restraint, ethical discipline, and contemplative purification—supporting Pāśupata-oriented practice where inner purity enables steadiness in japa, dhyāna, and devotion to Īśvara.
While not naming Śiva-Viṣṇu explicitly, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: the same Īśvara teaches yogic inner purity as the decisive factor—an approach shared across Śaiva (Pāśupata) and Vaiṣṇava devotional frameworks.