Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
शुश्रूषैव द्विजातीनां शूद्राणां धर्मसाधनम् / कारुकर्म तथाजीवः पाकयज्ञो ऽपि धर्मतः
śuśrūṣaiva dvijātīnāṃ śūdrāṇāṃ dharmasādhanam / kārukarma tathājīvaḥ pākayajño 'pi dharmataḥ
Bagi Śūdra, khidmat yang tulus kepada kaum dwija itulah jalan menegakkan dharma. Demikian juga, mencari nafkah melalui kerja pertukangan yang mahir, bahkan melaksanakan pākayajña—korban rumah tangga dengan makanan yang dimasak—diakui sebagai benar menurut dharma.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It does not define Ātman directly; it frames dharma as disciplined action and rightful livelihood, implying that spiritual progress is supported by ethically ordered conduct within one’s station.
No explicit yogic technique is taught; the verse emphasizes karma-yoga–like foundations—service, honest work, and sanctified daily rites (pākayajña)—as preparatory disciplines that steady the mind for higher practice.
It does not name Śiva directly; consistent with the Kurma Purana’s synthesis, it presents dharma as the shared ground on which later Śaiva-Vaiṣṇava spiritual teachings (including Pāśupata-oriented discipline) are built.