Shloka 16

Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen

Devanagari script

सायं प्रातर्द्विजः संध्यामुपासीत समाहितः / कामाल्लोभाद् भयान्मोहात् त्यक्तेन पतितो भवेत्

Transliteration

sāyaṃ prātardvijaḥ saṃdhyāmupāsīta samāhitaḥ / kāmāllobhād bhayānmohāt tyaktena patito bhavet

Translation

Seorang dwija hendaklah memuja Sandhyā pada waktu senja dan fajar dengan minda yang terhimpun. Jika dia meninggalkannya kerana nafsu, tamak, takut atau keliru, dia menjadi jatuh (patita).

Word by Word

• sāyam: in the evening
• sāyam: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sāyam (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (कालवाचक अव्यय)

• prātaḥ: in the morning
• prātaḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prātaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (कालवाचक अव्यय)

• dvijaḥ: the twice-born
• dvijaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; subject

• saṃdhyām: the twilight worship (sandhyā)
• saṃdhyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃdhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; object

• upāsīta: should worship/attend upon
• upāsīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upās (उप-आस् धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; ātmanepada

• samāhitaḥ: collected, composed
• samāhitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ā-dhā (सम्-आ-धा धातु) + kta → samāhita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; past passive participle (क्त); predicate adjective of ‘dvijaḥ’

• kāmāt: from desire
• kāmāt: Hetu (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Pañcamī (5th/पञ्चमी), Ekavacana; ablative of cause (हेतु)

• lobhāt: from greed
• lobhāt: Hetu (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lobha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Pañcamī, Ekavacana; ablative of cause

• bhayāt: from fear
• bhayāt: Hetu (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Pañcamī, Ekavacana; ablative of cause

• mohāt: from delusion
• mohāt: Hetu (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: moha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Pañcamī, Ekavacana; ablative of cause

• tyaktena: by (one) who has abandoned (it)
• tyaktena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tyaj (त्यज् धातु) + kta → tyakta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; instrumental of agent/means (करण) in passive sense: ‘by one who has abandoned (it)’

• patitaḥ: fallen (from duty)
• patitaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pat (पत् धातु) + ita → patita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; past participial adjective; predicate with ‘bhavet’

• bhavet: would become
• bhavet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s dharma-teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Sandhyā
• dvija
• dharma

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

By insisting on “samāhita” (collected awareness), the verse implies that inner steadiness is essential for dharma; such steadiness is the practical ground for recognizing the Self beyond desire, fear, and delusion.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights Sandhyā-upāsanā performed with mental concentration (samādhāna). The emphasis is on daily, time-bound practice that disciplines the mind—an applied yogic restraint supporting mantra, breath regulation, and contemplative worship.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

While not naming either deity, it reflects the Purāṇic synthesis by prioritizing regulated sādhana and purity of mind—principles shared across Śaiva (Pāśupata discipline) and Vaiṣṇava (devotional daily worship) streams in the Kurma Purana.