Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 16
Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)
वेदनिन्दारतान् मर्त्यान् देवनिन्दारतांस्तथा / द्विजनिन्दारतांश्चैव मनसापि न चिन्तयेत्
vedanindāratān martyān devanindāratāṃstathā / dvijanindāratāṃścaiva manasāpi na cintayet
வேத நிந்தையில், தேவர் நிந்தையில், இருபிறப்பினர் (த்விஜர்) நிந்தையிலும் ஈடுபடுவோரைக் மனத்தாலும் நினைக்க வேண்டாம்.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and mental discipline
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
Indirectly: it emphasizes purification of the mind (manas-śuddhi). A mind that avoids hostile, irreverent tendencies becomes fit for higher knowledge of the Self and for devotion to Īśvara.
A foundational yama-like restraint: guarding mental association (saṅga) and thought (cintā). In the Kurma Purana’s dharma-yoga framing, inner discipline begins with not dwelling on or aligning with those committed to Veda- and Deva-nindā.
By upholding reverence for Veda and Deva as a shared dharmic ground, it supports the Purana’s harmonizing stance: devotion to Īśvara (whether approached as Hari or Hara) requires the same inner purity and respect for sacred authority.