Kurma Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

Varnāśrama-Krama, Vairāgya as the Ground of Saṃnyāsa, and Brahmārpaṇa Karma-yoga

Devanagari script

न्यायागतधनः शान्तो ब्रह्मविद्यापरायणः / स्वधर्मपालको नित्यं सो ऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते

Transliteration

nyāyāgatadhanaḥ śānto brahmavidyāparāyaṇaḥ / svadharmapālako nityaṃ so 'mṛtatvāya kalpate

Translation

其财由正道而得，心安寂静，专志于梵（Brahman）之智，并恒常守持自性之法（svadharma）者，便堪当不死（解脱）。

Word by Word

• न्याय-आगत-धनः: one whose wealth is lawfully obtained
• न्याय-आगत-धनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nyāya + āgata + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; 'न्यायेन आगतम् धनम् यस्य' (karmadhāraya/tatpurusha sense); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शान्तः: peaceful, calm
• शान्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (कृदन्त; शम् धातोः क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मविद्या-परायणः: devoted to the knowledge of Brahman
• ब्रह्मविद्या-परायणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahmavidyā + parāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'devoted to Brahma-knowledge'

• स्वधर्म-पालकः: protector/observer of one’s own duty
• स्वधर्म-पालकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva-dharma + pālaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverbial accusative used as indeclinable)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अमृतत्वाय: for immortality
• अमृतत्वाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amṛtatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

• कल्पते: is fit/qualified
• कल्पते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kḷp (धातु)
• Form: लट्, आत्मनेपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Sage (narrative instruction within the Purva-bhaga discourse; traditional framing attributes the teaching to the Kurma Purana’s main narrator transmitting dharma-teachings to the listening sages)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By praising brahmavidyā (knowledge of Brahman), the verse implies that realizing the Self/Brahman—not mere ritual or wealth—qualifies one for amṛtatva (deathlessness), i.e., mokṣa.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights inner discipline—śānti (tranquility), ethical livelihood, and steady contemplation of brahmavidyā—which function as foundational sādhana supporting later Kurma Purana yoga teachings (including Pāśupata-oriented restraint and knowledge).

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

While neither deity is named, the teaching reflects the Purana’s synthesis: righteous dharma and brahma-knowledge are presented as universal means to liberation, compatible with both Shaiva (knowledge and restraint) and Vaishnava (dharma and devotion) orientations.