Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 146

Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara

Devanagari script

तस्मात् सर्वप्रयत्नेन पठितव्यो मनीषिभिः / श्रोतव्यश्चाथ मन्तव्यो विशेषाद् ब्राह्मणैः सदा

Transliteration

tasmāt sarvaprayatnena paṭhitavyo manīṣibhiḥ / śrotavyaścātha mantavyo viśeṣād brāhmaṇaiḥ sadā

Translation

因此，智者当竭尽努力诵读研习；亦当聆听而后思惟观照——尤其应由婆罗门恒常奉行。

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: हेतौ पञ्चमी-प्रयोग (ablatival adverb): पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; ‘therefore/from that reason’

• सर्वप्रयत्नेन: with all effort
• सर्वप्रयत्नेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्व + प्रयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषण-भाव (by all effort); तत्पुरुष (सर्वः प्रयत्नः)

• पठितव्यः: to be recited/read
• पठितव्यः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पठ् (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (to be read)

• मनीषिभिः: by the wise
• मनीषिभिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनीषिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; कर्तृ-समूह (by the wise)

• श्रोतव्यः: to be heard
• श्रोतव्यः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (it) is to be heard

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• अथ: then, also
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर/प्रसङ्गबोधक अव्यय (then/also)

• मन्तव्यः: to be contemplated
• मन्तव्यः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन् (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (it) is to be reflected upon

• विशेषात्: especially
• विशेषात्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative) एकवचन-प्रयोगः क्रियाविशेषणरूपे (especially)

• ब्राह्मणैः: by Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (temporal adverb)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) teaching within the Ishvara Gita discourse

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Manishi (the wise)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

By prescribing study, hearing, and reflection, the verse points to Self-knowledge as something realized through disciplined inquiry (śravaṇa and manana), not mere ritual—supporting the Ishvara Gita’s emphasis on liberating insight.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights the foundational jñāna-yoga method used in Pashupata-oriented teaching: śrotavya (hearing from tradition), paṭhitavya (systematic study), and mantavya (reflective contemplation), which prepare the mind for steady absorption and right conduct.

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

While not naming them directly, it reflects the Kurma Purana’s synthesis: the same supreme teaching (Ishvara Gita) is to be received through authoritative transmission and contemplation, aligning Shaiva-Pashupata discipline with Vaishnava revelation in one path of knowledge.