Uttara Bhaga Adhyaya 33 Shloka 43 - Kurma Purana | Tamil | Vedapath

Vyasa

Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 43

Prāyaścitta for Theft, Forbidden Foods, Impurity, and Ritual Lapses; Tīrtha–Vrata Remedies; Pativratā Mahātmyam via Sītā and Agni

Devanagari script

संवत्सरान्ते कृच्छ्रं तु चरेद् विप्रः पुनः पुनः / अज्ञातभुक्तशुद्ध्यर्थं ज्ञातस्य तु विशेषतः

Transliteration

saṃvatsarānte kṛcchraṃ tu cared vipraḥ punaḥ punaḥ / ajñātabhuktaśuddhyarthaṃ jñātasya tu viśeṣataḥ

Translation

ஒவ்வோர் ஆண்டின் முடிவில் ஒரு பிராமணன் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் ‘க்ருச்ச்ர’ பிராயச்சித்தத்தை மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டும்—அறியாமல் (அசுத்த/அயோக்யமாக) உண்டதற்கான தூய்மைக்காக; குற்றம் தெரிந்திருந்தால் இன்னும் சிறப்பாகவே।

Word by Word

संवत्सरान्तेat the end of a year

कृच्छ्रम्the kṛcchra penance

तुindeed

चरेत्should perform/practise

विप्रःa brāhmaṇa

पुनःagain

अज्ञातभुक्तशुद्ध्यर्थम्for the purpose of purification for unknowingly eating (impure food)

ज्ञातस्यof (one) known/intentional (case)

तुhowever

विशेषतःespecially

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the dharma-teaching of the Purāṇic sages)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

Brāhmaṇa

Kṛcchra (Prāyaścitta)

FAQs

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

This verse is not directly metaphysical; it emphasizes dharmic self-purification (śuddhi) through prāyaścitta, which supports inner clarity and discipline that later enables higher yoga-knowledge of the Self in the Kurma Purana’s broader teaching arc.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The practice here is tapas in the form of kṛcchra-vrata (a regulated austerity/penance). While not a meditation technique, it functions as ethical and bodily discipline (yama-like purification) that complements the Purāṇa’s later yoga instructions, including Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā.

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

This specific verse focuses on dharma and prāyaścitta rather than sectarian theology; in the Kurma Purana’s inclusive framework, such purificatory discipline is presented as universally valid for seekers, harmonizing with both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava paths.