Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 14

Gṛhastha Livelihood, Āpad-dharma, and Sacrificial Stewardship of Wealth

Devanagari script

चतुर्णामपि चैतेषां द्विजानां गृहमेधिनाम् / श्रेयान् परः परो ज्ञेयो धर्मतो लोकजित्तमः

Transliteration

caturṇāmapi caiteṣāṃ dvijānāṃ gṛhamedhinām / śreyān paraḥ paro jñeyo dharmato lokajittamaḥ

Translation

Sa apat na uri ng dvija na maybahay na ito, ang bawat kasunod ay dapat maunawaang higit na mainam kaysa nauna ayon sa dharma, at higit na may kakayahang ‘magwagi sa mga daigdig’—ibig sabihin, makamit ang mas mataas na gantimpalang espirituwal.

Word by Word

• चतुर्णाम्: of the four
• चतुर्णाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘of the four’

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अवधारणार्थक-निपात (also/even)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (and)

• एतेषाम्: of these
• एतेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• द्विजानाम्: of the twice-born (Brahmins etc.)
• द्विजानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गृहमेधिनाम्: of householders
• गृहमेधिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृहमेधिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘householders’

• श्रेयान्: better
• श्रेयान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तुलनात्मक (comparative)

• परः: the next/superior
• परः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of an implied ‘one’)

• परः: the next (one)
• परः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति द्वारा क्रमवृद्धि (each succeeding is superior)

• ज्ञेयः: is to be known
• ज्ञेयः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु) → ज्ञेय (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive: ‘to be known’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• धर्मतः: according to dharma
• धर्मतः: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb: ‘according to dharma/from dharma’)

• लोकजित्-तमः: the best conqueror of the worlds (most excellent)
• लोकजित्-तमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोकजित् (प्रातिपदिक) + तम (प्रत्यय; superlative)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तमप्-प्रत्ययान्त (superlative)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing the sages/Indradyumna on dharma

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Kurma
• Vishnu
• Dharma
• Dvija
• Grihastha (householder)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames spiritual progress through graded dharma. By purifying conduct and intention within household life, one becomes increasingly fit for higher realization—ultimately supporting Atman-knowledge taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes dharmic discipline rather than a specific technique: faithful performance of household duties, yajña/ritual responsibility, and ethical purity as preparatory yoga (karma-yoga/niyama-like restraint) that strengthens eligibility for higher contemplative practice.

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

By grounding spiritual ascent in dharma that is shared across Shaiva and Vaishnava frameworks, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: righteous living is the common foundation leading toward the one Supreme, whether approached as Hari (Vishnu/Kurma) or as Śiva in Pashupata-oriented teachings.