Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 49

Śrāddha-vidhi for Pitṛs: Invitations, Purity, Offerings, and Conduct

Devanagari script

ततस्तैरभ्यनुज्ञातो गत्वा वै दक्षिणां दिशम् / गोमयेनोपतिप्योर्वों स्थानं कृत्वा तु सैकतम्

Transliteration

tatastairabhyanujñāto gatvā vai dakṣiṇāṃ diśam / gomayenopatipyorvoṃ sthānaṃ kṛtvā tu saikatam

Translation

Rồi, được các vị ấy cho phép, ông đi về phương Nam; sau khi trát nền bằng phân bò, ông chuẩn bị một chỗ cát làm nơi thích hợp cho nghi lễ.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla/krama (काल/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb of sequence (क्रमवाचक)

• taiḥ: by them
• taiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• abhyanujñātaḥ: having been permitted / authorized
• abhyanujñātaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-anu-√jñā (धातु) + क्त
• Form: Past passive participle (भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययकृदन्त)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात)

• dakṣiṇām: southern
• dakṣiṇām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dakṣiṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying 'diśam'

• diśam: direction
• diśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• gomayena: with cow-dung
• gomayena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gomaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• upatipyoḥ: at/on the two upatipya (ritual spots)
• upatipyoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upatipya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dual (द्विवचन), Genitive/Locative (6th/7th: षष्ठी/सप्तमी) dual form; context suggests locative dual 'on/at the two upatipya-places' (textual/ritual term)

• urvoḥ: on the two thighs
• urvoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive/Locative (6th/7th: षष्ठी/सप्तमी), Dual (द्विवचन); here likely locative dual 'on the two thighs'

• sthānam: a place / seat
• sthānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• kṛtvā: having made
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययकृदन्त)

• tu: and/but
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात)

• saikatam: sandy
• saikatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saikata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying 'sthānam'

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator relaying the episode within the Kurma Purana’s pilgrimage/rite narrative)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Dakṣiṇā diśā (southern direction)
• Gomaya (cow-dung, ritual purifier)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes outer purification and disciplined preparation as supports for inner clarity—conditions traditionally said to steady the mind for realizing the Self beyond impurity and distraction.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights preparatory discipline (śauca/purity) and creating a proper seat/place—foundational supports for mantra-japa, dhyāna, and vow-based observances that the Kurma Purana links with Shaiva-Vaishnava sādhanā.

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

By focusing on shared dharmic procedure—purity, directionality, and rite—rather than sectarian difference, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative approach where Shaiva and Vaishnava practices operate within a single sacred discipline.