Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19
Varnāśrama-Krama, Vairāgya as the Ground of Saṃnyāsa, and Brahmārpaṇa Karma-yoga
कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं सङ्गवर्जितम् / क्रियते विदुषा कर्म तद्भवेदपि मोक्षदम्
kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṃ saṅgavarjitam / kriyate viduṣā karma tadbhavedapi mokṣadam
Perbuatan yang ditetapkan sebagai kewajipan, dilakukan tanpa keterikatan, semata-mata kerana “ia harus dilakukan”—apabila dikerjakan oleh orang bijaksana—bahkan mampu menganugerahkan mokṣa, pembebasan.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and liberating action (karma-yoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
By teaching action without attachment, the verse points to inner freedom: when the sense of doership and craving for results is relinquished, the Self is no longer bound by karma, making realization (and thus liberation) possible.
It emphasizes karma-yoga: disciplined performance of prescribed duties (niyata-karma) with saṅga-tyāga (renunciation of attachment). This is a foundational purification practice that supports higher yogic absorption and knowledge.
The teaching aligns with shared yogic-dharmic principles honored in both Shaiva and Vaishnava streams—purifying action offered without attachment—reflecting the Kurma Purana’s synthetic approach rather than sectarian opposition.