Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 11
Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen
सव्यं बाहुं समुद्धृत्य दक्षिणे तु धृतं द्विजाः / प्राचीनावीतमित्युक्तं पित्र्ये कर्मणि योजयेत्
savyaṃ bāhuṃ samuddhṛtya dakṣiṇe tu dhṛtaṃ dvijāḥ / prācīnāvītamityuktaṃ pitrye karmaṇi yojayet
اے دِوِجوں! بایاں بازو اٹھا کر یجنوپویت کو دائیں کندھے پر رکھنا ‘پراچیناوِیت’ کہلاتا ہے؛ پِتر کرم میں اسی کو اختیار کرنا چاہیے۔
Sūta (narrator) conveying the Kurma Purana’s dharma-vidhi to the sages
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
This verse is primarily procedural (dharma-vidhi) rather than metaphysical; it emphasizes disciplined performance of pitṛ-karmas, which in Purāṇic thought supports inner purity (śuddhi) that becomes a foundation for Atman-knowledge.
No direct yogic technique is taught here; the focus is karma-śuddhi through correct ritual conduct—an auxiliary discipline that the Kurma Purana frequently treats as supportive to higher sādhanā such as Pāśupata-oriented devotion and contemplation.
The verse itself does not mention Śiva or Viṣṇu; indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇa’s synthesis where proper dharma (including pitṛ-rites) complements devotion to Īśvara, whether approached through Śaiva or Vaiṣṇava forms.