Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 14

Narmadā-māhātmya: Amarakāṇṭaka, Jāleśvara, Kapilā–Viśalyakaraṇī, and the Supreme Purifying Power of Darśana

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचारी शुचिर्भूत्वा जितक्रोधो जितेन्द्रियः / सर्वहिंसानिवृत्तस्तु सर्वभूतहिते रतः

Transliteration

brahmacārī śucirbhūtvā jitakrodho jitendriyaḥ / sarvahiṃsānivṛttastu sarvabhūtahite rataḥ

Translation

برہماچاری پاکیزہ ہو کر، غصّہ کو فتح کرے، حواس کو قابو میں رکھے، ہر قسم کی ہنسا سے باز رہے، اور تمام بھوتوں کی بھلائی میں مشغول رہے۔

Word by Word

• brahmacārī: a celibate student / brahmacārin
• brahmacārī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman + cārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'one who practices brahmacarya'

• śuciḥ: pure
• śuciḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate adjective

• bhūtvā: having become
• bhūtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), 'having become'

• jita-krodhaḥ: one who has conquered anger
• jita-krodhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (√ji कृदन्त) + krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: 'whose anger is conquered'

• jita-indriyaḥ: self-controlled
• jita-indriyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (√ji कृदन्त) + indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: 'whose senses are conquered'

• sarva-hiṃsā-nivṛttaḥ: refraining from all harm
• sarva-hiṃsā-nivṛttaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + hiṃsā + nivṛtta (√vṛt कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'withdrawn from all violence'

• tu: and / indeed
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• sarva-bhūta-hite: in the welfare of all beings
• sarva-bhūta-hite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + bhūta + hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); अर्थे सप्तमी: 'in the welfare of all beings'

• rataḥ: devoted
• rataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rata (√ram कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'engaged/devoted'

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing sages/disciples on dharma and yogic self-restraint

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Kūrma (Vishnu)
• Brahmacārin
• Dharma
• Ahimsā

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By prescribing mastery over anger and the senses and universal non-violence, the verse points to inward purification—conditions under which the Self is recognized as peaceful, unattached, and naturally benevolent toward all beings.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It emphasizes foundational yogic restraints (yama/niyama-like disciplines): brahmacarya (continence), śauca (purity), indriya-jaya (sense-control), krodha-jaya (anger conquest), and ahiṃsā (non-harming), culminating in sarvabhūta-hita (universal goodwill), a key support for meditation and Pāśupata-leaning sādhanā.

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

Though not naming Śiva explicitly, the teaching aligns with shared Purāṇic yoga-dharma ideals honored in both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava streams—self-restraint, purity, and compassion—reflecting the Kurma Purana’s integrative (non-sectarian) spiritual ethic.