Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 79
Cosmic Manifestation, Mahāmāyā’s Mandate, Varṇāśrama-Dharma, and the Unity of the Trimūrti
तपसा कर्षितो ऽत्यर्थं यस्तु ध्यानपरो भवेत् / सांन्यासिकः स विज्ञेयो वानप्रस्थाश्रमे स्थितः
tapasā karṣito 'tyarthaṃ yastu dhyānaparo bhavet / sāṃnyāsikaḥ sa vijñeyo vānaprasthāśrame sthitaḥ
Người nào thân thể hao mòn vì khổ hạnh, lại chuyên chú nơi thiền định, thì nên hiểu là «sannyāsika»—bậc xuất ly trong tinh thần—dẫu vẫn an trụ trong āśrama vānaprastha của người ở rừng.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma and yoga-oriented varnashrama ideals
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
By prioritizing dhyāna (meditative absorption) over external status, the verse implies that inner realization and detachment—turning awareness toward the Self—defines true renunciation.
It highlights tapas (austerity/discipline) leading to dhyāna-paratā (single-minded meditation). The emphasis is on sustained contemplative practice as the mark of an inward sannyāsa even within vānaprastha.
While not naming Shiva directly, the verse reflects the Purana’s shared yogic-ascetic ideal (tapas and dhyāna) that underlies both Vaishnava and Shaiva paths, pointing to a unified spiritual discipline rather than sectarian difference.