Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

Svāyambhuva Lineage to Dakṣa; Pṛthu’s Devotion; Pāśupata Saṃnyāsa; Dakṣa–Satī Episode

Devanagari script

अशेषवेदसारं तत् पशुपाशविमोचनम् / अन्त्याश्रममिति ख्यातं ब्रह्मादिभिरनुष्ठितम्

Transliteration

aśeṣavedasāraṃ tat paśupāśavimocanam / antyāśramamiti khyātaṃ brahmādibhiranuṣṭhitam

Translation

此法乃一切吠陀之精髓，能解脱被缚之灵从系缚（pāśa）中得自由。它被称为“终极住期”（最后的āśrama），连梵天（Brahmā）等诸天亦曾奉行。

Word by Word

• अशेषवेदसारम्: the essence of all the Vedas
• अशेषवेदसारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशेष-वेद-सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (अशेषस्य वेदस्य सारः) विशेषणम् (तत्/विमोचनम्)

• तत्: that (this)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• पशुपाशविमोचनम्: release from the bonds of beings (souls)
• पशुपाशविमोचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु-पाश-विमोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पशूनां पाशानां विमोचनम्)

• अन्त्याश्रमम्: the final āśrama (stage of life)
• अन्त्याश्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त्य-आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (अन्त्यः आश्रमः)

• इति: thus; as
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/निदर्शनार्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• ख्यातम्: known; renowned
• ख्यातम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ख्या (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त-क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘प्रसिद्धम्’

• ब्रह्मादिभिः: by Brahmā and others
• ब्रह्मादिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मा आदिः येषां ते)

• अनुष्ठितम्: practised; performed
• अनुष्ठितम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-स्था (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त-क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘आचरितम्/सम्यक् कृतम्’

Speaker

Lord Kūrma (Vishnu) instructing the sages/Indradyumna contextually on liberating dharma aligned with Pāśupata teaching

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Vedas
• Pāśa (bondage)
• Paśu (individual soul)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By framing liberation as the removal of pāśa (bondage) from the paśu (the bound individual), the verse implies the Self’s freedom is intrinsic; bondage is a removable condition, and the liberating discipline reveals the already-unbound reality.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse points to a Pāśupata-oriented liberating discipline—treated as the Veda’s essence—culminating in antyāśrama (renunciant culmination), where practice is directed to cutting the fetters of attachment and identity, not merely ritual merit.

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

By endorsing a Pāśupata (Shaiva) liberation-framework within a Kurma (Vaishnava) voice, the text presents a synthesis: the same supreme liberating truth is affirmed across sectarian forms, as the Vedic essence practiced by the highest beings.