Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 87
Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)
न देवायतनं गच्छेत् कदाचिद् वाप्रदक्षिणम् / न वीजयेद् वा वस्त्रेण न देवायतने स्वपेत्
na devāyatanaṃ gacchet kadācid vāpradakṣiṇam / na vījayed vā vastreṇa na devāyatane svapet
Jangan pernah mengelilingi mandir dengan cara yang tidak semestinya. Jangan mengipas dengan kain, dan jangan tidur di dalam atau di pelataran tempat suci itu.
Traditional narration in the Kurma Purana (instructional dharma-teaching context; framed as sacred guidance attributed to the Purana’s authoritative voice, aligned with Lord Kurma’s dharma-upadesha stream)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It approaches the Supreme indirectly: by prescribing disciplined conduct in the deity’s abode, it teaches that inner reverence and self-restraint are essential supports for realizing the sacred (Atman/Ishvara) through purified mind and behavior.
It emphasizes preparatory yogic discipline (yama-like restraint and śauca through proper ācāra): maintaining reverent movement (pradakṣiṇā), avoiding casual bodily acts like fanning with cloth, and not treating the temple as a place for sleep—supporting steadiness and devotional concentration.
By focusing on universal devalaya-maryādā rather than sectarian markers, the verse reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance: the same sacred etiquette applies in the worship-space of Ishvara—whether approached as Shiva, Vishnu, or the one Supreme.