Shloka 1
Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen
इति श्रीकूर्मपुराणे षट्साहस्त्र्यां संहितायामुपरिविभागे (ईश्वरगीतासु) एकादशो ऽध्यायः व्यास उवाच शृणुध्वमृषयः सर्वे वक्ष्यमाणं सनातनम् / कर्मयोगं ब्राह्मणानामात्यन्तिकफलप्रदम्
iti śrīkūrmapurāṇe ṣaṭsāhastryāṃ saṃhitāyāmuparivibhāge (īśvaragītāsu) ekādaśo 'dhyāyaḥ vyāsa uvāca śṛṇudhvamṛṣayaḥ sarve vakṣyamāṇaṃ sanātanam / karmayogaṃ brāhmaṇānāmātyantikaphalapradam
Demikianlah, dalam Śrī Kūrma Purāṇa, Saṃhitā enam ribu śloka, bahagian kemudian—dalam Īśvara-gītā—(bermula) bab kesebelas. Vyāsa bersabda: “Dengarlah, wahai para ṛṣi sekalian, ajaran sanātana yang akan aku nyatakan—Karma-yoga bagi para Brahmana, yang menganugerahkan buah tertinggi.”
Vyasa
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames the teaching as “sanātana” (eternal) and aimed at the “ātyantika-phala” (ultimate end), indicating that Karma-yoga is presented as a means oriented toward liberation and realization of the highest Self, not merely worldly merit.
The verse introduces Karma-yoga—disciplined action offered in a sacred spirit—as the primary practice to be taught, especially within a dharma-structured life (varṇāśrama), leading toward the highest fruit.
While not naming Śiva or Viṣṇu directly, it situates the instruction within the Īśvara-gītā of the Kūrma Purāṇa, a section traditionally read as synthesizing devotion and yoga under “Īśvara” (the Lord) beyond sectarian division.