Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

गुरोः कुले न भिक्षेत न ज्ञातिकुलबन्धुषु / अलाभे त्वन्यगेहानां पूर्वं पूर्वं विवर्जयेत्

Transliteration

guroḥ kule na bhikṣeta na jñātikulabandhuṣu / alābhe tvanyagehānāṃ pūrvaṃ pūrvaṃ vivarjayet

Translation

ଗୁରୁଙ୍କ ଗୃହରେ ଓ ନିଜ ଜ୍ଞାତି-କୁଳବନ୍ଧୁମାନଙ୍କ ଘରେ ଭିକ୍ଷା ମାଗିବା ଉଚିତ୍ ନୁହେଁ। ଭିକ୍ଷା ନ ମିଳିଲେ ଅନ୍ୟ ଘରକୁ ଯାଇ, ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଯାଇଥିବା ଘରଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ କ୍ରମେ ବର୍ଜନ କରୁ।

Word by Word

• guroḥ: of the teacher
• guroḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Gen.), एकवचन (sg.)

• kule: in the family/household
• kule: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Loc.), एकवचन (sg.)

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (not)

• bhikṣeta: should beg
• bhikṣeta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhikṣ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद; निषेधेन—“should not beg”

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (not)

• jñāti-kula-bandhuṣu: among relatives/family-friends
• jñāti-kula-bandhuṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāti (प्रातिपदिक) + kula (प्रातिपदिक) + bandhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थक समास (“kinsmen, family, and friends/relations” as a group); पुंलिङ्ग (m.) ‘bandhu’, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Loc.), बहुवचन (pl.)

• alābhe: in case of not obtaining (alms)
• alābhe: Nimitta-adhikaraṇa (निमित्त-अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-lābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Loc.), एकवचन (sg.); नञ्-युक्त (“in case of non-attainment”)

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयार्थक-अव्यय (but/indeed)

• anya-gehānām: of other houses
• anya-gehānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक) + geha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (“of other houses”); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.) ‘geha’, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Gen.), बहुवचन (pl.)

• pūrvam: first
• pūrvam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: “first/previously”)

• pūrvam: in order (earlier ones)
• pūrvam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति (repetition for sequence: “one by one in order”)

• vivarjayet: should avoid
• vivarjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-varj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद; अर्थः—परित्यजेत्/वर्जयेत् (should avoid)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in dharma-guidelines for disciplined living

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Lord Kurma
• Vishnu
• Guru
• Varnashrama Dharma
• Bhiksha

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: by prescribing non-dependence on personal ties and disciplined restraint, it supports inner detachment (vairagya), a prerequisite for steady contemplation of the Atman beyond social identity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

A preparatory discipline akin to yama/niyama: regulated alms-seeking, avoidance of familiar households that create attachment, and non-repetition that curbs craving—supporting steadiness for mantra, japa, and contemplative practice emphasized in Kurma Purana’s broader yogic ethos.

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

Not by explicit doctrine, but by shared dharmic method: the same ascetic restraint valued in Shaiva (including Pashupata-leaning) and Vaishnava paths is taught here by Lord Kurma, reflecting the Purana’s synthesis in practical sadhana.