Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 42

Snātaka and Gṛhastha-Dharma: Conduct, Marriage Norms, Daily Rites, and Liberating Virtues

Devanagari script

यस्त्विमं नियतं विप्रो धर्माध्यायं पठेच्छुचिः / अध्यापयेत् श्रावयेद् वा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

Transliteration

yastvimaṃ niyataṃ vipro dharmādhyāyaṃ paṭhecchuciḥ / adhyāpayet śrāvayed vā brahmaloke mahīyate

Translation

然而，那位持戒清净的婆罗门，若恒常诵读此《法》之章，或为人宣讲，或令他人得闻，便在梵天之界（Brahmaloka）受尊崇而显耀。

Word by Word

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle), विरोध/अन्वयार्थ (but/indeed)

• imam: this
• imam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• niyatam: regulated/regular
• niyatam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niyata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• vipraḥ: a brāhmaṇa
• vipraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• dharma-adhyāyam: chapter/lesson on dharma
• dharma-adhyāyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma + adhyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः; पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• paṭhet: should recite/read
• paṭhet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: paṭh (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• śuciḥ: pure
• śuciḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• adhyāpayet: should teach
• adhyāpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: adhi-āp (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद; causative sense ‘make read/teach’ (णिच्)

• śrāvayet: should cause to hear/recite to others
• śrāvayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद; causative (णिच्)

• vā: or
• vā: Vikalpa (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (disjunctive particle ‘or’)

• brahma-loke: in Brahma-world
• brahma-loke: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः; पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• mahīyate: is honored/glorified
• mahīyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: mah (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोग (passive sense)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) conveying the Purana’s phalaśruti (fruit of hearing/recitation)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Brahmaloka
• Vipra
• Dharma

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes purification and disciplined study of Dharma as a means to higher states (Brahmaloka). In Kurma Purana’s broader synthesis, such disciplined svādhyāya prepares the mind for knowledge of the Self and devotion to Īśvara.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

It highlights niyama-like disciplines—regular practice (niyata) and purity (śuci/śauca)—applied to svādhyāya (sacred study/recitation). Teaching and attentive hearing are also treated as yogic supports that refine the intellect and conduct.

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

This specific verse does not name Shiva or Vishnu; it presents a shared Purāṇic principle honored in both Shaiva and Vaishnava streams: disciplined Dharma-recitation, teaching, and hearing generate merit and elevate the practitioner toward higher realms.