Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 17
Bhojana-vidhi and Nitya-karman: Directions for Eating, Prāṇa-Oblations, Sandhyā, and Conduct Leading to Apavarga
नाश्नीयात् प्रेक्षमाणानामप्रदायैव दुर्मतिः / न यज्ञशिष्टादन्द् वा न क्रुद्धो नान्यमानसः
nāśnīyāt prekṣamāṇānāmapradāyaiva durmatiḥ / na yajñaśiṣṭādand vā na kruddho nānyamānasaḥ
ದುರ್ಮತಿ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಇತರರು ನೋಡುತ್ತಿರುವಾಗ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಪಾಲು ನೀಡದೆ ಭೋಜನ ಮಾಡಬಾರದು. ಯಜ್ಞಶಿಷ್ಟ (ಯಜ್ಞಾನಂತರದ ಪ್ರಸಾದ)ವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ತಿನ್ನಬಾರದು; ಕೋಪದಲ್ಲಿ ತಿನ್ನಬಾರದು; ಮನಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಬೇರೆಡೆ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡೂ ತಿನ್ನಬಾರದು.
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing sages on dharma and disciplined living
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
By forbidding eating in anger or with a distracted mind, the verse implies that inner steadiness (citta-prasāda) is essential for dharmic life—an indirect preparation for Self-knowledge, where the Atman is realized through a calm, undivided awareness.
It emphasizes practical yoga of restraint: mindful eating, freedom from krodha (anger), and ekāgratā (one-pointed attention). Such āhāra-śuddhi and manas-śuddhi are foundational disciplines that support higher contemplative practices taught in the Kurma Purana’s Yoga-oriented sections.
Though not naming Śiva directly, the teaching reflects the Purana’s shared Shaiva–Vaishnava ethic: disciplined conduct, consecrated food (yajña-śiṣṭa), and mental purity are upheld as universal dharma supportive of devotion and liberation in both traditions.