Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5
Yamunā–Gaṅgā Tīrtha-Māhātmya: Agni-tīrtha, Anaraka, Prayāga, and the Tapovana of Jāhnavī
कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दश्यां स्नात्वा संतर्पयेच्छुचिः / धर्मराजं महापापैर्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśyāṃ snātvā saṃtarpayecchuciḥ / dharmarājaṃ mahāpāpairmucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ
Vào ngày mười bốn (caturdaśī) của nửa tháng tối, sau khi tắm gội và trở nên thanh tịnh, người ta nên dâng lễ tarpana (rưới nước cúng) lên Dharmarāja; nhờ vậy được giải khỏi những trọng tội—không còn nghi ngờ gì.
Sūta (narrating Purāṇic instruction to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Kurma Purana’s dharma-teaching frame)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
This verse is primarily dharma-practice oriented: it teaches karmic purification through snāna and tarpana to Dharmarāja. It implies a moral order (dharma) governing action and consequence, within which spiritual purification supports higher realization.
No direct meditation technique is taught here; the practice is ritual purification (snāna) and tarpana. In the Kurma Purana’s broader Shaiva–Vaishnava synthesis, such niyama-like disciplines support inner purity that complements Yoga and devotion.
It does not explicitly discuss Shiva–Vishnu unity; it focuses on Dharmarāja and expiation through prescribed rites. In the Kurma Purana’s overall theology, these dharma duties function alongside devotion to Īśvara, integrating ritual order with spiritual liberation.