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

Như lễ Aśvamedha—đại tế tối thượng trong các nghi lễ—có năng lực trừ sạch mọi tội lỗi, thì thánh ca Aghamarṣaṇa cũng trừ sạch mọi tội lỗi như vậy.

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.