Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37

Svāyambhuva Lineage to Dakṣa; Pṛthu’s Devotion; Pāśupata Saṃnyāsa; Dakṣa–Satī Episode

Devanagari script

सांन्यासिकं विधिं कृत्स्नं कारयित्वा विचक्षणः / ददौ तदैश्वरं ज्ञानं स्वशाखाविहितं व्रतम्

Transliteration

sāṃnyāsikaṃ vidhiṃ kṛtsnaṃ kārayitvā vicakṣaṇaḥ / dadau tadaiśvaraṃ jñānaṃ svaśākhāvihitaṃ vratam

Translation

Sang bijaksana, setelah menunaikan seluruh tata cara saṃnyāsa dengan sempurna, lalu menganugerahkan pengetahuan tentang Īśvara serta kaul suci yang ditetapkan dalam śākhā Weda miliknya.

Word by Word

• सांन्यासिकम्: pertaining to renunciation (sannyāsa)
• सांन्यासिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सांन्यासिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (vidhim इति विशेष्यस्य)

• विधिम्: rule; procedure; ordinance
• विधिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृत्स्नम्: entire; complete
• कृत्स्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत्स्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (vidhim)

• कारयित्वा: having caused to be performed
• कारयित्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), परस्मैपदी; ‘कारयित्वा’ = having caused (to be done)

• विचक्षणः: discerning; wise
• विचक्षणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषणम् (ददौ इत्यस्य कर्तुः)

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपदी

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• ऐश्वरम्: divine; lordly; pertaining to Īśvara
• ऐश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऐश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (ज्ञानम्)

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्वशाखाविहितम्: prescribed in one’s own branch (of Veda/tradition)
• स्वशाखाविहितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व-शाखा-विहित (प्रातिपदिक); स्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + शाखा (प्रातिपदिक) + विहित (कृदन्त, धा√)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (स्वशाखायाः विहितम्) विशेषणम् (व्रतम्)

• व्रतम्: vow; observance
• व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (ज्ञानस्य विशेषणरूपेण अपि पठ्यते)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration, describing a teacher conferring initiation/teaching after saṃnyāsa-rite)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Īśvara
• Saṃnyāsa
• Vedic Śākhā
• Vrata

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames liberation-oriented practice as culminating in aiśvara-jñāna—knowledge of Īśvara—implying that realization is transmitted and stabilized through disciplined renunciation and observance, rather than mere ritualism.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights saṃnyāsa-vidhi and vrata as the structured foundation for inner practice—ethical restraints, regulated conduct, and a renouncer’s discipline—through which higher knowledge (Īśvara-centered contemplation) is conferred and maintained.

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

By emphasizing aiśvara-jñāna (knowledge of the one Lord) within orthodox śākhā-based discipline, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology where devotion and knowledge of Īśvara can be read in a Shaiva-Vaishnava harmonizing framework.