Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 16

Dāna-dharma: Types of Charity, Worthy Recipients, Vrata-Timings, and Śiva–Viṣṇu Propitiation

Devanagari script

यो ब्राह्मणाय शान्ताय शुचये धर्मशालिने / ददाति विद्यां विधिना ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

Transliteration

yo brāhmaṇāya śāntāya śucaye dharmaśāline / dadāti vidyāṃ vidhinā brahmaloke mahīyate

Translation

Sesiapa yang, menurut tata cara yang benar, menganugerahkan ilmu suci kepada seorang brahmana yang damai, suci, dan teguh dalam dharma, akan dimuliakan di alam Brahmā.

Word by Word

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.)

• ब्राह्मणाय: to a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), चतुर्थी विभक्ति (Dat. 4), एकवचन (sg.)

• शान्ताय: peaceful
• शान्ताय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), चतुर्थी विभक्ति (Dat. 4), एकवचन (sg.); विशेषणम् ब्राह्मणाय

• शुचये: pure
• शुचये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), चतुर्थी विभक्ति (Dat. 4), एकवचन (sg.); विशेषणम् ब्राह्मणाय

• धर्मशालिने: righteous, devoted to dharma
• धर्मशालिने: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म-शालिन् (प्रातिपदिक; धर्म + शालिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), चतुर्थी विभक्ति (Dat. 4), एकवचन (sg.); उपपद-तत्पुरुष/षष्ठीभावः: धर्मे शालिन् (one possessing/abiding in dharma)

• ददाति: gives
• ददाति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.)

• विद्याम्: knowledge
• विद्याम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.)

• विधिना: according to proper rule/method
• विधिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया विभक्ति (Inst. 3), एकवचन (sg.)

• ब्रह्मलोके: in Brahma’s world
• ब्रह्मलोके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म-लोक (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्मन् + लोक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Loc. 7), एकवचन (sg.); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ब्रह्मणः लोकः

• महीयते: is honored, is glorified
• महीयते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.); कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः (passive/intransitive sense)

Speaker

Narratorial Kurma Purana voice (Dharma-upadesha section; traditional attribution within the dialogue framework to Lord Kurma’s teaching on dharma)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahmin
• Brahmaloka
• Dharma
• Vidya
• Brahma

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it prioritizes vidyā (liberating knowledge) as a highest gift, implying that realization-oriented learning—leading toward Self-knowledge—is a superior dharmic act when given to a qualified recipient.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes eligibility (śānti, śauca, dharma) as foundations—ethical purification and self-restraint—which function as preparatory disciplines supporting Yoga and higher knowledge in the Kurma Purana’s broader soteriology.

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

It does not name Shiva or Vishnu directly; its synthesis appears through the shared dharmic principle that right conduct and transmission of sacred knowledge are honored, aligning with the Kurma Purana’s integrated Shaiva–Vaishnava spiritual ethic.