Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

Mādhayameśvara-māhātmya — Vyāsa at Mandākinī and the Pāśupata Vision

Devanagari script

कौपीनवसनाः केचिदपरे चाप्यवाससः / ब्रह्मचर्यरताः शान्ता वेदान्तज्ञानतत्पराः

Transliteration

kaupīnavasanāḥ kecidapare cāpyavāsasaḥ / brahmacaryaratāḥ śāntā vedāntajñānatatparāḥ

Translation

ചിലർ കൗപീനമാത്രം ധരിക്കുന്നു, മറ്റുചിലർ വസ്ത്രരഹിതരായി ഇരിക്കുന്നു. അവർ ബ്രഹ്മചര്യത്തിൽ രതരും, ശാന്തചിത്തരും, വേദാന്തജ്ഞാനത്തിൽ തത്പരരുമാണ്.

Word by Word

• कौपीन-वसनाः: wearing loincloths
• कौपीन-वसनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौपीन (प्रातिपदिक) + वसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘कौपीनं वसनं येषां ते’ (wearing only a loincloth)

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + चित् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; अनिश्चित-सर्वनाम (indefinite pronoun)

• अपरे: others
• अपरे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक/अपि-कार (also)

• अवाससः: without clothing
• अवाससः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; नञ्-समास-निष्पन्न-प्रातिपदिक (a- privative)

• ब्रह्मचर्य-रताः: devoted to celibacy
• ब्रह्मचर्य-रताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-निष्पन्न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘ब्रह्मचर्ये रताः’ (engaged in celibacy)

• शान्ताः: peaceful
• शान्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √शम्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• वेदान्त-ज्ञान-तत्पराः: intent on knowledge of Vedānta
• वेदान्त-ज्ञान-तत्पराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेदान्त (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘वेदान्तज्ञानं प्रति तत्पराः’ (intent on Vedānta-knowledge)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic discourse describing ascetic exemplars within the Kurma Purana’s teaching context)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Vedanta
• Brahmacarya
• Ascetics (munis/yatis)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

By emphasizing “Vedānta-knowledge,” the verse points to realization of ultimate reality as the goal—attained through inner renunciation and disciplined tranquility rather than external display.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights brahmacarya (sense-restraint/celibate discipline) and śānti (calm self-mastery) as foundational yogic supports that steady the mind for Vedāntic contemplation and liberating insight.

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

It does not name Śiva or Viṣṇu directly; instead it stresses Vedānta-centered renunciation, a common soteriological ground used in the Kurma Purana to harmonize Shaiva and Vaishnava paths through shared yogic discipline and knowledge.