Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 8

Bhojana-vidhi and Nitya-karman: Directions for Eating, Prāṇa-Oblations, Sandhyā, and Conduct Leading to Apavarga

Devanagari script

शेषमन्नं यथाकामं भुञ्जीतव्यं जनैर्युतम् / ध्यात्वा तन्मनसा देवमात्मानं वै प्रजापतिम्

Transliteration

śeṣamannaṃ yathākāmaṃ bhuñjītavyaṃ janairyutam / dhyātvā tanmanasā devamātmānaṃ vai prajāpatim

Translation

பின்னர் மீதமுள்ள உணவை அங்குள்ளவர்களுடன் விருப்பம்போல் உண்ணலாம்; அதே மனத்தால் தெய்வமான ஆத்மா—பிரஜாபதியை—தியானிக்க வேண்டும்।

Word by Word

• शेषम्: remaining
• शेषम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण to अन्नम्

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• यथा-कामम्: as one wishes
• यथा-कामम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverb) ‘as desired’

• भुञ्जीतव्यम्: should be eaten
• भुञ्जीतव्यम्: विधेय (Predicate/Obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Gerundive/Obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विधेय (predicate) ‘to be eaten/should be eaten’

• जनैः: with people
• जनैः: सह (Saha/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• युतम्: accompanied/associated
• युतम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युत (प्रातिपदिक; √युज् क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण to अन्नम्

• ध्यात्वा: having meditated
• ध्यात्वा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial to main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having meditated’

• तत्-मनसा: with that mind
• तत्-मनसा: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम) + मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास; तृतीया-समर्थ्ये अव्ययवत् (adverbial instrumental sense) ‘with that mind’

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• आत्मानम्: the Self
• आत्मानम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; apposition to देवम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• वै: indeed
• वै: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic particle)

• प्रजापतिम्: Prajāpati
• प्रजापतिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक) = प्रजा + पति
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समानाधिकरण (in apposition) to देवम्/आत्मानम्

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the teaching as part of the Purāṇic discourse)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Prajapati
• Atman
• Deva

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It identifies the worship-worthy reality as the inner Self (ātmā) itself—Prajāpati as the divine principle to be contemplated—showing that outer action (eating) is sanctified by inner recognition of the Self as the Lord.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

A simple but strict practice of dhyāna integrated into daily conduct: before partaking of the remaining food, one steadies the mind and contemplates the Divine within (ātman/Prajāpati), aligning karma with inner yoga.

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

By focusing on Prajāpati/Ātman as the single divine ground to be meditated upon, it supports the Purāṇa’s non-sectarian method: the same Supreme is approached through disciplined action and inner contemplation, harmonizing Shaiva and Vaishnava orientations in practice.