Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
प्रणवासक्तमनसो रुद्रजप्यपरायणान् / अथर्वशिरसो ऽध्येतृन् धर्मज्ञान् परिवर्जय
praṇavāsaktamanaso rudrajapyaparāyaṇān / atharvaśiraso 'dhyetṛn dharmajñān parivarjaya
Jauhilah mereka yang fikirannya hanya terpaut pada suku kata Oṁ semata-mata, yang berpegang eksklusif pada japa mantra Rudra, dan yang sekadar mempelajari Atharvaśiras—walau mereka berbicara tentang dharma—kerana keberpihakan satu sisi itu menyesatkan dari jalan yang seimbang.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in a dharma-teaching dialogue
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
Indirectly: it warns that fixation on a single external marker (like mere Oṁ or mantra-recitation) is not, by itself, realization; true dharma points beyond one-sided practice toward integrated knowledge and discipline leading to the Self.
Mantra-oriented practice is referenced (praṇava-focus and Rudra-japa), but the verse emphasizes discernment—Yoga must be supported by right understanding and a balanced dharmic framework rather than sectarian or mechanical repetition alone.
By cautioning against exclusivism around Rudra-mantras while speaking within a Vishnu-as-teacher frame, it supports the Purana’s synthesis: reverence for Śiva is not rejected, but narrow, one-sided identity is discouraged in favor of harmonized dharma.