Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 33

Karma-yoga Discipline for the Twice-born: Upanayana, Upavīta Conduct, Guru-veneration, and Alms-regimen

Devanagari script

आत्मनः सर्वयत्नेन प्राणत्यागेन वा पुनः / पूजनीया विशेषेण पञ्चैते भूतिमिच्छता

Transliteration

ātmanaḥ sarvayatnena prāṇatyāgena vā punaḥ / pūjanīyā viśeṣeṇa pañcaite bhūtimicchatā

Translation

以一切努力——甚至不惜舍命——凡求安乐、兴盛与灵性昌隆者，当以特别的恭敬礼奉此五位。

Word by Word

• आत्मनः: of oneself
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• सर्वयत्नेन: with all effort
• सर्वयत्नेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-यत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (सर्वः यत्नः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• प्राणत्यागेन: by sacrificing life
• प्राणत्यागेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण-त्याग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्राणानां त्यागः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (particle: or)

• पुनः: indeed/again
• पुनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: again/indeed)

• पूजनीयाः: to be worshipped
• पूजनीयाः: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूजनीय (प्रातिपदिक; पूज् धातोः अनीयर्)
• Form: अनीयर्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive: ‘to be worshipped’); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• विशेषेण: especially
• विशेषेण: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Singular (adverbial use: ‘especially’)

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/संख्या)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चन् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; ‘five’

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative, Plural

• भूतिम्: prosperity/welfare
• भूतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• इच्छता: by one who desires
• इच्छता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Singular (agent-instrumental: ‘by one desiring’)

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) conveying the Kurma Purana’s dharma-instruction in the context of prescribed reverence (pūjā) and conduct

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Pañca-pūjya (the five revered objects/persons)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

It does not define Ātman metaphysically here; it uses “ātmanaḥ” pragmatically—urging that for one’s own highest good (bhūti), one must prioritize reverence and right conduct even above personal comfort and survival.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes disciplined commitment (sarvayatna) and self-offering (prāṇatyāga as the extreme ideal of sacrifice). In the Kurma Purana’s yogic-dharmic frame, such steadfastness supports inner purification and devotion, which are prerequisites for deeper yogic practice.

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

Indirectly: by framing worship as a dharmic imperative aimed at bhūti, it aligns with the Purana’s synthetic spirit—honoring sacred principles and revered entities without sectarian narrowing, consistent with Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony.