Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 81

Brahmacārin-Dharma: Guru-Sevā, Daily Vedic Study, Gāyatrī-Japa, and Anadhyāya Regulations

Devanagari script

एष धर्मः समासेन कीर्तितो ब्रह्मचारिणाम् / ब्रह्मणाभिहितः पूर्वमृषीणां भावितात्मनाम्

Transliteration

eṣa dharmaḥ samāsena kīrtito brahmacāriṇām / brahmaṇābhihitaḥ pūrvamṛṣīṇāṃ bhāvitātmanām

Translation

如是，梵行者（brahmacārin，守净戒之学子）的法则已略说完毕——此法昔日由梵天（Brahmā）宣示，传授给那些自心清净、已得调伏的圣仙（ṛṣi）。

Word by Word

• eṣaḥ: this
• eṣaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of dharmaḥ

• dharmaḥ: dharma; rule of conduct
• dharmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• samāsena: briefly; in summary
• samāsena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine/also used neuter in some traditions; here masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular); क्रियाविशेषण-भाव (adverbial instrumental)

• kīrtitaḥ: has been proclaimed
• kīrtitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kīrt (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive sense)

• brahmacāriṇām: of brahmacārins (students)
• brahmacāriṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmacārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā
• brahmaṇā: Kartṛ-karaṇa (कर्तृ-करण/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• abhihitaḥ: was stated; was taught
• abhihitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√dhā (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (dharmaḥ) understood as subject

• pūrvam: formerly; earlier
• pūrvam: Kāla (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (अव्ययभाव/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• ṛṣīṇām: of the sages
• ṛṣīṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• bhāvitātmanām: of those with cultivated/purified selves
• bhāvitātmanām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhāvita-ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण of ṛṣīṇām

Speaker

Traditional Purāṇic narrator (Vyāsa/Sūta-style narration) summarizing the teaching; the instruction is traced back to Brahmā for authority.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Ṛṣis (sages)
• Brahmacārin (celibate student)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes a “bhāvita-ātman” (cultivated/purified self): spiritual authority belongs to those who refine the inner self through dharma and discipline, preparing the seeker for higher realization.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

While not listing techniques, the verse frames brahmacarya as a yogic foundation—self-restraint, mental purification, and disciplined conduct—supporting later contemplative practice and Pāśupata-style inner training.

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

Indirectly: by grounding dharma in ancient, pan-Purāṇic authority (Brahmā and the purified sages), it supports the Kurma Purana’s integrative stance where shared discipline and realization underpin Shaiva–Vaishnava harmony.