Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 18
Bhojana-vidhi and Nitya-karman: Directions for Eating, Prāṇa-Oblations, Sandhyā, and Conduct Leading to Apavarga
आत्मार्थं भोजनं यस्य रत्यर्थं यस्य मैथुनम् / वृत्यर्थं यस्य चाधीतं निष्फलं तस्य जीवितम्
ātmārthaṃ bhojanaṃ yasya ratyarthaṃ yasya maithunam / vṛtyarthaṃ yasya cādhītaṃ niṣphalaṃ tasya jīvitam
Sesiapa yang makan hanya untuk diri, bersetubuh hanya demi nikmat, dan menuntut ilmu semata-mata untuk mencari nafkah—hidupnya itu tidak berbuah, sia-sia belaka.
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and the higher aim (puruṣārtha) beyond mere artha and kāma
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It implies that life becomes meaningful only when actions are oriented beyond narrow self-interest toward dharma and inner realization; otherwise, even basic acts like eating, pleasure, and study remain spiritually barren.
The verse points to vairāgya (dispassion) and right intention (saṅkalpa-śuddhi) as prerequisites for Yoga: learning and living should support sādhana and liberation rather than serving only pleasure or livelihood.
By stressing dharma and liberation-oriented living—central to both Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva paths—it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance where devotion and discipline converge toward one Supreme Reality.