Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

जीवितार्थमपि द्वेषाद् गुरुभिर्नैव भाषणम् / उदितो ऽपि गुणैरन्यैर्गुरुद्वेषी पतत्यधः

Transliteration

jīvitārthamapi dveṣād gurubhirnaiva bhāṣaṇam / udito 'pi guṇairanyairgurudveṣī patatyadhaḥ

Translation

உயிரைக் காக்க வேண்டிய நிலையிலும், வெறுப்பினால் குருக்கள் அவனுடன் பேசமாட்டார்கள்; அவன் பிற நற்குணங்களில் ஒளிர்ந்தாலும், குருவை வெறுப்பவன் கீழ்நிலைக்கே வீழ்வான்।

Word by Word

• जीवितार्थम्: for the sake of life
• जीवितार्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवित-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (जीवितस्य अर्थः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपवाद-अव्यय (particle: even/also)

• द्वेषात्: from hatred
• द्वेषात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• गुरुभिः: with teachers
• गुरुभिः: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• एव: at all
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle: indeed/at all)

• भाषणम्: speaking/conversation
• भाषणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• उदितः: endowed/risen (with)
• उदितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: particle: even/also

• गुणैः: with virtues
• गुणैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अन्यैः: other
• अन्यैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• गुरुद्वेषी: one who hates the teacher
• गुरुद्वेषी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु-द्वेषिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (गुरुषु द्वेषी); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• पतति: falls
• पतति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present indicative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present, 3rd person, Singular

• अधः: downwards
• अधः: Gati/Deśa (गति/देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb of direction: downward)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating traditional dharma-teaching context to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Dharma
• Adhaḥ-patana (spiritual downfall)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it teaches that spiritual realization depends on proper adhikāra (fitness). Guru-dveṣa blocks the transmission of liberating knowledge, so even good qualities cannot mature into Atman-realization without reverence and receptivity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights the foundational discipline (yama-like ethical restraint) required for Yoga: humility, non-hostility, and guru-sevā. In the Kurma Purana’s sādhanā frame (including Pāśupata-oriented practice), respect for the guru is a prerequisite for mantra, vrata, and meditation to bear fruit.

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

By emphasizing guru-bhakti as a universal dharmic rule that underlies both Shaiva and Vaishnava paths: devotion to the teacher supports the shared goal of liberation, reflecting the Kurma Purana’s integrative (non-sectarian) spirit.