Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 7

Snātaka and Gṛhastha-Dharma: Conduct, Marriage Norms, Daily Rites, and Liberating Virtues

Devanagari script

न रक्तमुल्बणं चान्यधृतं वासो न कुण्डिकाम् / नोपानहौ स्त्रजं चाथ पादुके च प्रयोजयेत्

Transliteration

na raktamulbaṇaṃ cānyadhṛtaṃ vāso na kuṇḍikām / nopānahau strajaṃ cātha pāduke ca prayojayet

Translation

ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ ଲାଲ ବସ୍ତ୍ର ଧାରଣ କରିବେ ନାହିଁ, ଅନ୍ୟେ ପିନ୍ଧିଥିବା ବସ୍ତ୍ର ମଧ୍ୟ ନୁହେଁ; ଏବଂ କୁଣ୍ଡିକା/କମଣ୍ଡଳୁ, ଜୁତା, ମାଳା ଓ ପାଦୁକା ବ୍ୟବହାର କରିବେ ନାହିଁ।

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Negation marker/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya (negation particle)

• rakta-mulbaṇam: (clothing) that is red and gaudy
• rakta-mulbaṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + ulbaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter/नपुंसक), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/द्वितीया), Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: ‘red’ + ‘gaudy/excessive’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-avyaya (conjunction/समुच्चय)

• anya-dhṛtam: worn by someone else
• anya-dhṛtam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक) + dhṛta (कृदन्त, √dhṛ धातु)
• Form: Napुंसक, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘worn by another’ (dhṛta = past passive participle)

• vāsaḥ: garment/clothing
• vāsaḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसक (commonly), Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana (form vāsaḥ)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Negation marker/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya

• kuṇḍikām: water-pot (small vessel)
• kuṇḍikām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṇḍikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine/स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Negation marker/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya (in sandhi with upānahau)

• upānahau: sandals/shoes (pair)
• upānahau: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upānah (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Dvivacana (Dual/द्विवचन)

• srajam: garland
• srajam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sraj (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Sam uccaya-avyaya (conjunction)

• atha: then/also
• atha: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta (particle), sequence/transition

• pāduke: footwear (pair of slippers)
• pāduke: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pādukā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Dvivacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Sam uccaya-avyaya

• prayojayet: should use/employ
• prayojayet: Kriyā (Predicate verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√yuj (युज् धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada; causative sense ‘to employ/use’ is lexical here

Speaker

Traditional puranic narrator (Vyasa/paurāṇika voice) giving dharma-vidhi instructions within the Kurma Purana framework

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It does not define Ātman directly; it supports realization indirectly by prescribing outward restraints that steady the mind and reduce distraction—preparatory to yoga and knowledge taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes yama/niyama-style discipline—simplicity, non-attachment to sensory display, and ritual cleanliness—often treated as prerequisites for mantra-japa, pūjā, and Pāśupata-oriented yogic practice.

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

By focusing on shared dharma (purity, restraint, and proper observance), it reflects the Purana’s synthesis: the same ethical-ritual discipline is upheld across Shaiva and Vaishnava worship as a common foundation for spiritual attainment.