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Shloka 51

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

पन्था देयो ब्राह्मणाय स्त्रियै राज्ञे ह्यचक्षुषे / वृद्धाय भारबुग्नाय रोगिणे दुर्बलाय च

panthā deyo brāhmaṇāya striyai rājñe hyacakṣuṣe / vṛddhāya bhārabugnāya rogiṇe durbalāya ca

Hendaklah diberi laluan (hak mendahului) kepada seorang brāhmaṇa, kepada wanita, kepada raja, dan kepada orang buta; demikian juga kepada orang tua, kepada yang membongkok kerana beban, kepada yang sakit, dan kepada yang lemah.

पन्थाःpath, right of way
पन्थाः:
Karma (कर्म/Object; thing to be given/ceded)
TypeNoun
Rootपथिन्/पन्था (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)
देयःshould be given (ceded)
देयः:
Kriyā (क्रिया/Obligation predicate)
TypeVerb
Rootदा (धातु)
Formतव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययार्थक (gerundive/obligatory), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (to be given)
ब्राह्मणायto a Brahmin
ब्राह्मणाय:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन
स्त्रियैto a woman
स्त्रियै:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeNoun
Rootस्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन
राज्ञेto a king
राज्ञे:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeNoun
Rootराजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन
हिindeed
हि:
Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक/Particle)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि (अव्यय)
Formनिपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (indeed/for)
अचक्षुषेto the blind (one without eyes)
अचक्षुषे:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeAdjective
Rootअ-चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-समास/negative prefix)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुष: चक्षुषः अभावः = without sight
वृद्धायto an old person
वृद्धाय:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeAdjective
Rootवृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन
भार-बुग्नायto one bent under a burden
भार-बुग्नाय:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeAdjective
Rootभार-बुग्न (प्रातिपदिक; भार + बुग्न)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: भारात् बुग्नः = bent/stooped due to a load
रोगिणेto a sick person
रोगिणे:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeAdjective
Rootरोगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन
दुर्बलायto a weak person
दुर्बलाय:
Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
TypeAdjective
Rootदुर्बल (प्रातिपदिक; दुर् + बल)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; उपसर्गपूर्वक-तत्पुरुष: bad/low strength
and
:
Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

Sūta (narrator) conveying Kurma Purana’s dharma-instructions in the Purva-bhaga context

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

B
Brāhmaṇa
R
Rājā (King)

FAQs

It does not directly define Ātman; instead it establishes dharmic humility and compassion—ethical restraints that traditionally support inner purity, which is considered a prerequisite for realizing the Self.

No specific meditation is taught here; the verse emphasizes yama-like ethical behavior (courtesy, non-harm, respect for the vulnerable), forming the moral ground on which Kurma Purana’s later yoga-oriented teachings (including Pāśupata-related discipline) can stand.

It does not mention Śiva–Viṣṇu theology explicitly; it reflects the Purana’s shared dharma framework—ethical conduct as a common foundation for devotion and liberation regardless of sectarian emphasis.