Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

प्रणवासक्तमनसो रुद्रजप्यपरायणान् / अथर्वशिरसो ऽध्येतृन् धर्मज्ञान् परिवर्जय

Transliteration

praṇavāsaktamanaso rudrajapyaparāyaṇān / atharvaśiraso 'dhyetṛn dharmajñān parivarjaya

Translation

جن کا دل صرف پرنَو (اوم) ہی میں اٹکا رہے، جو صرف رودر منتر کے جپ کے ہی پابند ہوں، اور جو محض اتھروَشِرس کا مطالعہ کریں—اگرچہ دھرم کی باتیں جانتے ہوں—ایسوں سے کنارہ کرو۔

Word by Word

• praṇavāsaktamanasaḥ: those whose minds are attached to Om (Pranava)
• praṇavāsaktamanasaḥ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇavāsaktamanas (प्रणवासक्तमनस्)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural (Arsha usage or a-stem declension)

• rudrajapyaparāyaṇān: intent on chanting Rudra prayers
• rudrajapyaparāyaṇān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudrajapyaparāyaṇa (रुद्रजप्यपरायण)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• atharvaśirasaḥ: of the Atharvashiras (Upanishad)
• atharvaśirasaḥ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: atharvaśiras (अथर्वशिरस्)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (Shasthi), Singular

• adhyetṛn: reciters/students
• adhyetṛn: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhyetṛ (अध्येतृ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• dharmajñān: knowers of Dharma
• dharmajñān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharmajña (धर्मज्ञ)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Plural

• parivarjaya: completely avoid
• parivarjaya: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-vṛj (परि-वृज्)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Madhyama Purusha (2nd), Singular; Causative

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing in a dharma-teaching dialogue

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Pranava (Oṁ)
• Rudra
• Atharvaśiras

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it warns that fixation on a single external marker (like mere Oṁ or mantra-recitation) is not, by itself, realization; true dharma points beyond one-sided practice toward integrated knowledge and discipline leading to the Self.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Mantra-oriented practice is referenced (praṇava-focus and Rudra-japa), but the verse emphasizes discernment—Yoga must be supported by right understanding and a balanced dharmic framework rather than sectarian or mechanical repetition alone.

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

By cautioning against exclusivism around Rudra-mantras while speaking within a Vishnu-as-teacher frame, it supports the Purana’s synthesis: reverence for Śiva is not rejected, but narrow, one-sided identity is discouraged in favor of harmonized dharma.