Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 40
Tīrtha-Māhātmya: Mahālaya, Kedāra, Rivers and Fords, and Devadāru Forest
Akṣaya-Karma Doctrine
तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं यान्ति सशरीरा द्विजातयः / दत्तं चापि सदा श्राद्धमक्षयं समुदाहृतम् / ऋणैस्त्रिभिर्नरः स्नात्वा मुच्यते क्षीणकल्मषः
tatra snātvā divaṃ yānti saśarīrā dvijātayaḥ / dattaṃ cāpi sadā śrāddhamakṣayaṃ samudāhṛtam / ṛṇaistribhirnaraḥ snātvā mucyate kṣīṇakalmaṣaḥ
Dengan mandi di sana, kaum dvija dikatakan naik ke surga beserta tubuhnya. Śrāddha yang dipersembahkan di sana selalu dinyatakan berbuah tak binasa. Dengan mandi di sana, seseorang—dosanya luruh—bebas dari tiga utang: kepada dewa, resi, dan leluhur.
Sūta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s tīrtha-māhātmya discourse to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
Indirectly: it presents purification (kṣīṇa-kalmaṣa) and freedom from obligations (ṛṇa) as prerequisites for higher realization; in the Kurma Purana’s broader theology, such dharmic purification supports steady yoga leading toward knowledge of the Self.
The verse emphasizes karmayoga-like purification through tīrtha-snāna (ritual bathing) and śrāddha as dharmic disciplines; in Kurma Purana’s framework, these observances cleanse impediments and complement inner yoga (dhyāna) by reducing pāpa and stabilizing sattva.
It does not name Śiva or Viṣṇu explicitly; however, it reflects the Purana’s synthesis where sacred observances and liberation-oriented discipline are upheld across sectarian lines—tīrtha, śrāddha, and purification are shared dharmic means within a Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava harmonious vision.