Shloka 54
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः / जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः
ūrdhvaṃ gacchanti sattvasthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ / jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ
Người an trú trong sattva thì thăng lên; kẻ bị rajas chi phối thì ở bậc trung. Ai có hạnh nghiệp do phẩm tính thấp nhất—tamas—định hình thì sa xuống.
Lord Kūrma (Viṣṇu) instructing the sages (Purāṇic teaching voice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
By classifying ascent and descent through the guṇas, the verse implies that bondage belongs to prakṛti’s qualities; the discerning seeker turns toward sattva and knowledge to recognize the Atman as distinct from these changing modes.
The verse points to guṇa-śuddhi: cultivating sattva through dharma, self-restraint, right conduct, and contemplative discipline—foundational to Purāṇic yoga and compatible with Pāśupata-oriented purification leading to steadier meditation.
Though not naming them directly, the teaching reflects the shared Purāṇic framework honored by both Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava traditions: liberation requires transcending guṇa-driven conduct, a goal presented as one in the Kurma Purana’s synthetic theology.