Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 72

Daily Duties of Brāhmaṇas: Snāna, Sandhyā, Sūrya-hṛdaya, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and the Pañca-mahāyajñas

Devanagari script

यथाश्वमेधः क्रतुराट् सर्वपापापनोदनः / तथाघमर्षणं सूक्तं सर्वपापापनोदनम्

Transliteration

yathāśvamedhaḥ kraturāṭ sarvapāpāpanodanaḥ / tathāghamarṣaṇaṃ sūktaṃ sarvapāpāpanodanam

Translation

جیسے اشومیدھ—یعنی یَجْنوں کا بادشاہ—تمام پاپوں کو دور کرتا ہے، ویسے ہی اَغمَرشَن سُوکت بھی تمام گناہوں کا ازالہ کرتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), उपमानार्थक (comparative)

• aśvamedhaḥ: the Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice)
• aśvamedhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśva + medha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (Sg.)

• kratu-rāṭ: king of rites
• kratu-rāṭ: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kratu + rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (Sg.); ‘king of sacrifices’

• sarva-pāpa-apanodanaḥ: remover of all sins
• sarva-pāpa-apanodanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + pāpa + apanodana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन; विशेषण to ‘aśvamedhaḥ’

• tathā: so/likewise
• tathā: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), तदनुरूपार्थक (correlative)

• agha-marṣaṇam: Aghamarṣaṇa (sin-dispelling)
• agha-marṣaṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agha + marṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (Sg.)

• sūktam: hymn
• sūktam: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūkta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन; समानाधिकरण with ‘aghamarṣaṇam’

• sarva-pāpa-apanodanam: removing all sins
• sarva-pāpa-apanodanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + pāpa + apanodana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन; विशेषण to ‘sūktam/aghamarṣaṇam’

Speaker

Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator addressing the listening sages; presented as an authoritative statement within the discourse on expiation and purification)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Aśvamedha
• Aghamarṣaṇa Sūkta

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

Indirectly: it emphasizes inner purification through sacred recitation; such purification is treated as a prerequisite for Self-knowledge (ātma-jñāna) in the Kurma Purana’s broader dharma-yoga framework.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights mantra/śruti-recitation as a purificatory discipline—supporting steadiness of mind (citta-śuddhi) that prepares one for higher yoga practices taught elsewhere in the Kurma Purana, including Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis and Pāśupata-oriented observances.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

It does not explicitly mention Śiva–Viṣṇu unity; however, its teaching aligns with the Purana’s integrative approach: Vedic sūkta-recitation and dharmic purification are upheld as universally valid supports for liberation across sectarian boundaries.