Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 2

Ācamana-vidhi, Śauca, and Conduct Rules for Study, Eating, and Bodily Functions

Devanagari script

रेतोमूत्रपुरीषाणामुत्सर्गे ऽयुक्तभाषणे / ष्ठीवित्वाध्ययनारम्भे कासश्वासागमे तथा

Transliteration

retomūtrapurīṣāṇāmutsarge 'yuktabhāṣaṇe / ṣṭhīvitvādhyayanārambhe kāsaśvāsāgame tathā

Translation

ਵੀਰਯ, ਮੂਤਰ ਅਤੇ ਮਲ ਦਾ ਤਿਆਗ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ, ਅਣਉਚਿਤ ਬੋਲ ਬੋਲਦਿਆਂ, ਥੁੱਕਣ ਤੋਂ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਬਾਅਦ, ਅਧਿਐਨ ਦੇ ਆਰੰਭ ਵੇਲੇ, ਅਤੇ ਖੰਘ ਜਾਂ ਸਾਹ ਚੜ੍ਹਨ ਤੇ—(ਵੇਦ ਪਾਠ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ)।

Word by Word

• रेतः-मूत्र-पुरीषाणाम्: of semen, urine, and feces
• रेतः-मूत्र-पुरीषाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेतस् + मूत्र + पुरीष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Genitive plural); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (list compound)

• उत्सर्गे: at the discharge/evacuation
• उत्सर्गे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (Locative singular)

• अयुक्त-भाषणे: in improper speech
• अयुक्त-भाषणे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयुक्त + भाषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (Locative singular); कर्मधारय (‘improper speech’)

• ष्ठीवित्वा: having spat
• ष्ठीवित्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ष्ठीव्/ष्ठिव् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund), ‘having spat’

• अध्ययन-आरम्भे: at the start of study
• अध्ययन-आरम्भे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्ययन + आरम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (Locative singular); तत्पुरुष (‘beginning of study/recitation’)

• कास-श्वास-आगमे: when cough or breathlessness arises
• कास-श्वास-आगमे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कास + श्वास + आगम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (Locative singular); समाहार/तत्पुरुष (‘on the occurrence of cough and breathlessness’)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘likewise/also’)

Speaker

Traditional narration (Purāṇic instruction on dharma and adhyayana-niyama, conveyed through the Kurma Purana’s teaching voice)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

This verse is primarily a dharma-śāstric rule on purity and fitness for sacred recitation; it does not directly define Ātman, but it supports the discipline (saṃskāra and śauca) considered conducive to steadiness of mind for higher knowledge.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights preparatory discipline (niyama-like restraint): regulating speech and bodily functions and avoiding recitation when breath is disturbed—practically aligning with yogic prerequisites of cleanliness, breath stability, and mental composure before mantra or svādhyāya.

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

The verse does not explicitly mention Śiva or Viṣṇu; its teaching reflects the Purāṇic synthesis in practice by emphasizing shared dharmic prerequisites—purity, restraint, and fitness for sacred sound—common to both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions.