Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 57

Dāna-dharma: Types of Charity, Worthy Recipients, Vrata-Timings, and Śiva–Viṣṇu Propitiation

Devanagari script

स्वगायुर्भूतिकामेन तथा पापोपशान्तये / मुमुक्षुणा च दातव्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तथान्वहम्

Transliteration

svagāyurbhūtikāmena tathā pāpopaśāntaye / mumukṣuṇā ca dātavyaṃ brāhmaṇebhyastathānvaham

Translation

സ്വന്തം ആയുസ്സും സമൃദ്ധിയും ആഗ്രഹിച്ച്, പാപശാന്തിക്കായി, മോക്ഷം തേടുന്ന മുമുക്ഷുവും—ബ്രാഹ്മണർക്കു ദിനംപ്രതി ദാനം ചെയ്യണം.

Word by Word

• svagāyuḥ-bhūti-kāmena: by one desiring one’s own welfare and prosperity
• svagāyuḥ-bhūti-kāmena: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + gāyuḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūti (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग) (head: kāma), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tathā: likewise/also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक अव्यय)

• pāpa-upaśāntaye: for the pacification of sin
• pāpa-upaśāntaye: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāpa (प्रातिपदिक) + upaśānti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग) (head: upaśānti), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• mumukṣuṇā: by a seeker of liberation
• mumukṣuṇā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mumukṣu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयार्थक)

• dātavyam: should be given
• dātavyam: Vidhi (विधि/कर्तव्यता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (दा धातु)
• Form: Gerundive (तव्यत्), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); impersonal obligation

• brāhmaṇebhyaḥ: to Brahmins
• brāhmaṇebhyaḥ: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी) (also Ablative possible), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tathā: thus/likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक अव्यय)

• anu-aham: daily/every day
• anu-aham: Kāla-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anu (अव्यय) + ahan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound used adverbially (अव्ययीभाव-समास, क्रियाविशेषण)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s dharma-teachings as received in the tradition)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Moksha (Mumukshu)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames the mumukṣu’s path as purification through daily disciplined giving, supporting inner clarity that culminates in realization of the Self beyond sin–merit calculations.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights niyama-like discipline—regular dana (daily giving) as a purificatory observance that supports steadiness of mind, a prerequisite for higher yoga and liberation-oriented practice.

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

It does not explicitly name Shiva or Vishnu; its synthesis is practical—purification through dharma (dana) functions as a shared foundation for both Shaiva and Vaishnava liberation paths in the Kurma Purana.