Shloka 30
Yati-Āśrama: Bhikṣā-vidhi, Īśvara-dhyāna, and Prāyaścitta
Mahādeva as Non-dual Brahman
परमापद्गतेनापि न कार्यं स्तेयमन्यतः / स्तेयादभ्यधिकः कश्चिन्नास्त्यधर्म इति स्मृतिः / हिंसा चैषापरा दिष्टा या चात्मज्ञाननाशिका
paramāpadgatenāpi na kāryaṃ steyamanyataḥ / steyādabhyadhikaḥ kaścinnāstyadharma iti smṛtiḥ / hiṃsā caiṣāparā diṣṭā yā cātmajñānanāśikā
अतिशय आपत्तीतही दुसऱ्याचे धन चोरू नये. स्मृती म्हणते—चोरीपेक्षा मोठा अधर्म नाही. ही सूक्ष्मतर हिंसा आहे, कारण ती आत्मज्ञानाचा नाश करते.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on Dharma
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It implies that Atman-knowledge is a fragile inner illumination sustained by dharmic conduct; theft is called a subtler violence because it corrupts the mind and thereby destroys the capacity for Self-knowledge.
The verse emphasizes yama-like restraints—non-stealing and non-injury—as foundational disciplines; such ethical purification is presented as necessary for stable contemplation that culminates in ātmajñāna.
By framing dharma and ātmajñāna as the shared spiritual ground of Purāṇic teaching, it aligns with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis where devotion and discipline lead to the same Self-realization upheld across Shaiva and Vaishnava streams.