Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 97

Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमप्रयुक्तेन धर्मेण प्रीतिसंयुतः / पूजयेद् भावयुक्तेन यावज्जीवं प्रतिज्ञया

Transliteration

varṇāśramaprayuktena dharmeṇa prītisaṃyutaḥ / pūjayed bhāvayuktena yāvajjīvaṃ pratijñayā

Translation

Taglay ang mapagmahal na debosyon, dapat sambahin (ang Panginoon) sa pamamagitan ng mga tungkuling dharma ayon sa sariling varṇa at āśrama, na may pusong tapat—at panatilihin ang panata habang nabubuhay.

Word by Word

• वर्णाश्रमप्रयुक्तेन: enjoined by varṇa and āśrama
• वर्णाश्रमप्रयुक्तेन: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्णाश्रमप्रयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक: वर्ण + आश्रम + प्रयुक्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (प्र-युज् धातु + क्त), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; पुं/नपुंसक; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: वर्णाश्रमयोः प्रयुक्तः = ‘enjoined/connected with varṇa and āśrama’

• धर्मेण: by dharma; through righteous duty
• धर्मेण: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण (means)

• प्रीतिसंयुतः: endowed with devotion
• प्रीतिसंयुतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीतिसंयुत (प्रातिपदिक: प्रीति + संयुत)
• Form: कृदन्त (सम्-युज् + क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष: प्रीत्या संयुतः = ‘endowed with devotion/pleasure’

• पूजयेत्: should worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष? actually तृतीयपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘he should worship’

• भावयुक्तेन: with sincere feeling
• भावयुक्तेन: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भावयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक: भाव + युक्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (युज् + क्त), तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष: भावेन युक्तः = ‘with proper feeling/intent’ (adverbial instrumental)

• यावत्: as long as; up to
• यावत्: Kālādhi karaṇa (कालाधिकरण/Temporal limit)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (अव्यय/संबन्ध)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधिपर्यन्तार्थक (up to/as long as)

• जीवम्: life (one’s lifetime)
• जीवम्: Kālādhi karaṇa (कालाधिकरण/Temporal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘यावत्’ इत्यनेन सह कालपर्यन्त-प्रयोग (idiom: yāvajjīvam)

• प्रतिज्ञया: by a vow
• प्रतिज्ञया: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण/हेतु-भावः: ‘by vow/with a pledge’

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing the sages (Kurma Purana discourse style)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Kūrma (Vishnu)
• Varṇāśrama-dharma
• Pratijñā (vow)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that realization and divine relationship are supported not merely by ritual form but by bhāva (inner sincerity) and steadfastness; the Supreme is approached through devoted intention expressed via one’s rightful dharma.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to disciplined sādhana: integrating daily duty (varṇāśrama-dharma) with devotional concentration (bhāva-yukta pūjā) and lifelong commitment (pratijñā). This aligns with Purāṇic yoga as steady practice, purity, and single-pointed devotion.

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

By grounding worship in dharma and inner devotion rather than sectarian markers, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthetic approach: the same highest reality is honoured through sincere pūjā and disciplined living, a theme compatible with Shaiva–Vaishnava unity.