Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)
न बालातपमासेवेत् प्रेतधूमं विवर्जयेत् / नैकः सुप्याच्छून्यगृहे स्वयं नोपानहौ हरेत्
na bālātapamāsevet pretadhūmaṃ vivarjayet / naikaḥ supyācchūnyagṛhe svayaṃ nopānahau haret
سخت دھوپ میں خود کو نہ رکھے؛ اور چتا کے دھوئیں سے پرہیز کرے۔ خالی گھر میں اکیلا نہ سوئے، اور اپنی جوتی خود نہ اتارے۔
Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma/ācāra
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Indirectly, by emphasizing disciplined living and avoidance of impurity and fear-producing circumstances, it supports the sattva needed for steady contemplation of the Ātman.
It highlights preparatory restraints (yama-like ethical cautions) that protect mental clarity—avoiding disturbing influences and cultivating steadiness, which supports later yogic concentration and devotion.
Though not naming Shiva explicitly, the verse reflects the shared dharma-foundation of both Shaiva and Vaishnava paths in the Kurma Purana: purity, self-restraint, and disciplined conduct as the basis for liberation-oriented practice.