Dharma of Non-Injury, Non-Stealing, Purity, and Avoidance of Hypocrisy (Ācāra and Saṅkarya-Nivṛtti)
न स्पृशेत् पाणिनोच्छिष्टो विप्रोगोब्राह्मणानलान् / न चासनं पदा वापि न देवप्रतिमां स्पृशेत्
na spṛśet pāṇinocchiṣṭo viprogobrāhmaṇānalān / na cāsanaṃ padā vāpi na devapratimāṃ spṛśet
جس برہمن کے ہاتھ پر جُوٹھ (اُچھِشٹ) لگا ہو وہ گائے، برہمن اور آگ کو نہ چھوئے۔ وہ پاؤں سے آسن کو بھی نہ چھوئے اور نہ ہی دیوتا کی مورتی کو چھوئے۔
Sūta (narrator) conveying the Kurma Purana’s dharma-instructions as taught by the tradition
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Indirectly: it teaches that spiritual realization is supported by śauca and disciplined conduct; purity of action and reverence toward sacred supports (Agni, cow, brāhmaṇa, deity-image) stabilize the mind for higher knowledge of Ātman.
No specific āsana or dhyāna is prescribed; the verse highlights preparatory yogic discipline—external purity, restraint, and reverence—seen as foundational observances (niyama-like) that support mantra, worship, and meditative steadiness in the Kurma Purana’s path.
By emphasizing reverence to the deva-pratimā and ritual purity, it supports the Purana’s synthesis: devotion and disciplined worship apply across sectarian forms—whether one approaches the Supreme as Viṣṇu (Kūrma) or as Śiva—through the same dharmic standards.