Shloka 38
Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen
वर्जयित्वा मुक्तिफलं नित्यं नैमित्तिकं तथा / धर्मसारः समुद्दिष्टः प्रेत्यानन्तफलप्रदः
varjayitvā muktiphalaṃ nityaṃ naimittikaṃ tathā / dharmasāraḥ samuddiṣṭaḥ pretyānantaphalapradaḥ
மோக்ஷப் பலனை ஒதுக்கி வைத்து, நித்தியமும் நைமித்திகமும் ஆகிய கடமைகளின் அனுஷ்டானமே தர்மத்தின் சாரம் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது; மரணத்திற்குப் பின் அது முடிவிலாப் பலன் அளிக்கும்।
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing the sages (context of dharma-teaching in the Purva-bhāga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It distinguishes mokṣa (liberation) from dharma’s karmic framework: nitya and naimittika duties yield “endless fruits” after death, implying that Atman-realization (mukti) is a different, transcendent result not counted among ritual/ethical karmaphalas.
This verse foregrounds karma-yoga foundations: disciplined performance of obligatory and occasion-based duties as a purifying regimen that supports higher yogic realization (including Pāśupata-oriented inner worship taught elsewhere in the Kūrma tradition).
By presenting dharma as a universal discipline taught by Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) yet compatible with Śaiva-Pāśupata soteriology, it reflects the Purāṇa’s synthetic stance: shared dharma and purification leading toward the same highest truth.