Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31
Avimukta-Māhātmya — Vyāsa in Vārāṇasī and Śiva’s Secret Teaching of Liberation
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा ये वर्णसंकराः / स्त्रियो म्लेच्छाश्च ये चान्ये संकीर्णाः पापयोनयः
brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrā ye varṇasaṃkarāḥ / striyo mlecchāśca ye cānye saṃkīrṇāḥ pāpayonayaḥ
బ్రాహ్మణులు, క్షత్రియులు, వైశ్యులు, శూద్రులు—మరియు వర్ణసంకరులైన వారు; స్త్రీలు, మ్లేచ్ఛులు మరియు ఇతరులు—ఇవన్నీ కలగలిసిన వర్గాలు, పాపయోనులలో పుట్టినవారిగా చెప్పబడతారు।
Narratorial voice within the Purāṇic discourse (instructional passage on varṇāśrama-dharma; traditionally presented through the sage’s narration to the listener)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
This verse does not directly teach ātman-metaphysics; it frames a dharma-ethical diagnosis—social and ritual disorder (varṇa-saṅkara) is treated as a symptom of declining dharma, which later sections address through purification, devotion, and yogic discipline.
No specific yoga technique is stated here; the verse functions as a dharma context. In the Kurma Purana’s broader program, such disorder is countered by śauca (purity), vrata (vows), devotion, and—especially in later teachings—Pāśupata-oriented discipline and contemplative steadiness.
The verse itself is social-ethical and does not name Śiva or Viṣṇu; however, the Kurma Purana’s overall voice integrates dharma with liberative practice, where devotion and yoga are presented in a synthesis that accommodates both Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva orientations.