Shloka 17
Brahmacārin-Dharma: Guru-Sevā, Daily Vedic Study, Gāyatrī-Japa, and Anadhyāya Regulations
कामं लोभं भयं निद्रां गीतवादित्रनर्तनम् / आतर्जनं परीवादं स्त्रीप्रेक्षालम्भनं तथा / परोपघातं पैशुन्यं प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत्
kāmaṃ lobhaṃ bhayaṃ nidrāṃ gītavāditranartanam / ātarjanaṃ parīvādaṃ strīprekṣālambhanaṃ tathā / paropaghātaṃ paiśunyaṃ prayatnena vivarjayet
努め励んで、欲・貪り・恐れ・過度の眠りを捨てよ。歌・器楽・舞踊への耽溺、威嚇、誹謗、中傷を離れよ。欲をもって女性を見つめ、戯れの縁に絡むこと、他者を害すること、悪意の告げ口をも慎んで避けよ。
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing sages on dharma and self-restraint (Purva-bhaga ethical teaching context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It approaches the Self indirectly: by listing passions and harmful tendencies to be abandoned, it implies that realization of the Atman requires purification of mind and conduct so consciousness can rest in its own clarity rather than being driven by desire, fear, and violence.
The verse highlights foundational restraints (yama-like disciplines) essential for Yoga: reducing sense-indulgence, curbing agitation (fear, slander, intimidation), and avoiding harmful or distracting behaviors. Such ethical mastery is treated as a prerequisite for steadiness in meditation and for higher Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis practices found elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.
While not naming Shiva or Vishnu explicitly, the teaching aligns with the Purana’s synthesis: both Shaiva (Pashupata-style restraint) and Vaishnava (bhakti-grounded purity) paths require the same moral disciplines—non-harm, truthfulness in speech, and mastery over desire—as a common foundation for liberation.