Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Avimukta-Māhātmya — Vyāsa in Vārāṇasī and Śiva’s Secret Teaching of Liberation

Devanagari script

नाश्रद्दधाने दातव्यं नाभक्ते परमेष्ठिनः / न वेदविद्विषु शुभं ज्ञाननानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

nāśraddadhāne dātavyaṃ nābhakte parameṣṭhinaḥ / na vedavidviṣu śubhaṃ jñānanānāṃ jñānamuttamam

Translation

此法不应授与无信之人，亦不应授与不敬奉至上主宰帕拉梅什提因者。憎恶吠陀者中无有吉祥；诸般知识之中，至上者乃导向至高者之智。

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• अश्रद्दधाने: in one without faith
• अश्रद्दधाने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-श्रद्दधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; वर्तमान कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक (श्रद्दधान ‘having faith’) with privative अ-

• दातव्यम्: should be given
• दातव्यम्: Kriyā (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत् (Gerundive/Obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (should be given)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• अभक्ते: in a non-devotee
• अभक्ते: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; ‘devotee’ with privative अ-

• परमेष्ठिनः: of the Supreme Lord
• परमेष्ठिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेष्ठिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• वेदविद्विषु: among haters of the Veda
• वेदविद्विषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदविद्विष् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; समास: वेद + विद्विष् (hater) = ‘hater of the Veda’

• शुभम्: auspicious (thing)
• शुभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• ज्ञानदानाम्: of gifts of knowledge
• ज्ञानदानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञानदान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; समास: ज्ञान + दान (gift) = ‘gift of knowledge’

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: supreme
• उत्तमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on dharma

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Parameṣṭhin
• Veda

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It implies that the highest knowledge is that which culminates in realization of the Supreme (Parameṣṭhin)—the liberating wisdom that transcends mere scholarship and aligns the self with the ultimate reality.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds śraddhā and bhakti as prerequisites for auspicious spiritual progress—foundational attitudes that support dhyāna, mantra-japa, and disciplined practice in the Purāṇic Yoga framework.

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

By centering devotion to the Supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin) rather than sectarian hostility and Veda-hatred, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s integrative theology where devotion to the one Supreme underlies both Shaiva and Vaishnava paths.