Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 60
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
कर्मणा प्राप्यते धर्मो ज्ञानेन च न संशयः / तस्माज्ज्ञानेन सहितं कर्मयोगं समाचरेत्
karmaṇā prāpyate dharmo jñānena ca na saṃśayaḥ / tasmājjñānena sahitaṃ karmayogaṃ samācaret
عمل سے دھرم حاصل ہوتا ہے اور معرفت سے بھی—اس میں کوئی شک نہیں۔ لہٰذا سچے علم کے ساتھ ملا ہوا کرم یوگ ثابت قدمی سے اختیار کرنا چاہیے۔
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna (Ishvara Gita discourse context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It implies that realization is not opposed to duty: knowledge (jñāna) is a valid means to dharma and inner clarity, and when action is performed in the light of knowledge, it becomes a purifying path aligned with the Self rather than ego-driven karma.
The verse highlights Karma-yoga—performing prescribed actions as disciplined worship—explicitly joined with jñāna (right understanding). In the Kurma Purana’s Ishvara Gita spirit, this supports a Pashupata-style orientation where practice is both ethical (dharma) and contemplative (insight).
While not naming Shiva directly, the teaching reflects the Purana’s synthesis: the same supreme principle is approached through integrated discipline—knowledge and action—consistent with both Shaiva (yoga/gnosis) and Vaishnava (devotional duty) frameworks rather than sectarian opposition.