Shloka 1
Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen
इति श्रीकूर्मपुराणे षट्साहस्त्र्यां संहितायामुपरिविभागे (ईश्वरगीतासु) एकादशो ऽध्यायः व्यास उवाच शृणुध्वमृषयः सर्वे वक्ष्यमाणं सनातनम् / कर्मयोगं ब्राह्मणानामात्यन्तिकफलप्रदम्
iti śrīkūrmapurāṇe ṣaṭsāhastryāṃ saṃhitāyāmuparivibhāge (īśvaragītāsu) ekādaśo 'dhyāyaḥ vyāsa uvāca śṛṇudhvamṛṣayaḥ sarve vakṣyamāṇaṃ sanātanam / karmayogaṃ brāhmaṇānāmātyantikaphalapradam
یوں شری کورم پران کی چھٹ ساہستری سنہتا کے اُتر وِبھاغ میں، ایشورگیتا کے ضمن میں، گیارھواں ادھیائے (آغاز ہوتا ہے)۔ ویاس نے کہا—“اے رشیو! تم سب اس سناتن اُپدیش کو سنو جو اب بیان کیا جا رہا ہے—برہمنوں کے لیے کرم یوگ، جو اعلیٰ ترین پھل عطا کرتا ہے۔”
Vyasa
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It frames the teaching as “sanātana” (eternal) and aimed at the “ātyantika-phala” (ultimate end), indicating that Karma-yoga is presented as a means oriented toward liberation and realization of the highest Self, not merely worldly merit.
The verse introduces Karma-yoga—disciplined action offered in a sacred spirit—as the primary practice to be taught, especially within a dharma-structured life (varṇāśrama), leading toward the highest fruit.
While not naming Śiva or Viṣṇu directly, it situates the instruction within the Īśvara-gītā of the Kūrma Purāṇa, a section traditionally read as synthesizing devotion and yoga under “Īśvara” (the Lord) beyond sectarian division.