Shloka 21
Daily Duties of Brāhmaṇas: Snāna, Sandhyā, Sūrya-hṛdaya, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and the Pañca-mahāyajñas
नोत्पाटयेद्दन्तकाष्टंनाङ्गुल्या धावयेत् क्वचित् / प्रक्षाल्य भङ्क्त्वा तज्जह्याच्छुचौदेशे समाहितः
notpāṭayeddantakāṣṭaṃnāṅgulyā dhāvayet kvacit / prakṣālya bhaṅktvā tajjahyācchucaudeśe samāhitaḥ
ದಂತಕಾಷ್ಠವನ್ನು ಎಳೆದು ಕೀಳಬಾರದು; ಎಂದಿಗೂ ಬೆರಳಿನಿಂದ ಹಲ್ಲುಗಳನ್ನು ಒರೆಸಬಾರದು. ಅದನ್ನು ತೊಳೆದು ಮುರಿದು, ಮನಸ್ಸು ಸಮಾಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಶುದ್ಧ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ತ್ಯಜಿಸಬೇಕು.
Narrator (Purāṇic instruction; traditionally Sūta conveying the teaching of sages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
Indirectly, it teaches that steadiness and inner cleanliness (samāhitaḥ) support Self-knowledge: disciplined outer conduct is treated as a prerequisite for the contemplative life that leads toward realizing the Atman.
The verse emphasizes śauca (purity) and samādhāna (composure). Such regulated habits are framed as preparatory observances that stabilize the mind for japa, dhyāna, and the broader yogic discipline praised throughout the Kurma Purana.
It does not name Shiva or Vishnu explicitly; instead, it reflects the shared dharmic foundation honored in Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis—purity and self-control as universal prerequisites for devotion, worship, and yoga directed to the Supreme.