Shloka 14

Āvāhāryaka-Śrāddha: Qualifications of Recipients, Paṅkti-Pāvana, and Exclusions

Devanagari script

ज्ञाननिष्ठो महायोगी वेदान्तार्थविचिन्तकः / श्रद्धालुः श्राद्धनिरतो ब्राह्मणः पङ्क्तिपावनः

Transliteration

jñānaniṣṭho mahāyogī vedāntārthavicintakaḥ / śraddhāluḥ śrāddhanirato brāhmaṇaḥ paṅktipāvanaḥ

Translation

ಮೋಕ್ಷದಾಯಕ ಜ್ಞಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಷ್ಠನಾದ ಮಹಾಯೋಗಿ, ವೇದಾಂತಾರ್ಥವನ್ನು ವಿಚಾರಿಸುವವನು; ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾವಂತ, ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಕರ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತನಾದವನೇ ಪಂಕ್ತಿ-ಪಾವನ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣನು.

Word by Word

• ज्ञान-निष्ठः: steadfast in knowledge
• ज्ञान-निष्ठः: कर्ता-विशेषण (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + निष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘ज्ञाने निष्ठा यस्य’ (अर्थतः बहुव्रीहिवत् प्रयोगः)

• महायोगी: great yogin
• महायोगी: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महायोगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• वेदान्त-अर्थ-विचिन्तकः: one who reflects on the meaning of Vedānta
• वेदान्त-अर्थ-विचिन्तकः: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदान्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + विचिन्तक (प्रातिपदिक; वि+√चिन्त् धातु + ण्वुल्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘वेदान्तस्य अर्थं विचिन्तयति’

• श्रद्धालुः: faithful
• श्रद्धालुः: कर्ता-विशेषण (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रद्धालु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• श्राद्ध-निरतः: devoted to śrāddha rites
• श्राद्ध-निरतः: कर्ता-विशेषण (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + निरत (कृदन्त, √रम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘श्राद्धे निरतः’

• ब्राह्मणः: a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणः: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• पङ्क्ति-पावनः: purifier of the dining line
• पङ्क्ति-पावनः: विधेय-विशेषण (प्रेडिकेटिव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पङ्क्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + पावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (as the teacher in the Kurma Purana’s dharma-yoga discourse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Vedānta
• Śrāddha
• Brāhmaṇa
• Yoga

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

By praising steadfastness in jñāna and inquiry into Vedānta, the verse points to liberation through realization of the Self taught in Vedānta—knowledge that culminates in seeing the one inner reality beyond ritual identity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights jñāna-niṣṭhā (abidance in liberating knowledge) and Vedānta-vicāra (contemplative inquiry) as yogic disciplines, presenting Yoga as inner discernment supported by faithful observance of dharma.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

Indirectly, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: the highest aim is Vedāntic realization (often framed in Shaiva-Vaishnava unity), while dharmic observances like śrāddha remain honored—devotion and knowledge are not set in opposition.