Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 11

Gṛhastha Livelihood, Āpad-dharma, and Sacrificial Stewardship of Wealth

Devanagari script

असाधकस्तु यः प्रोक्तो गृहस्थाश्रमसंस्थितः / शिलोञ्छे तस्य कथिते द्वे वृत्ती परमर्षिभिः

Transliteration

asādhakastu yaḥ prokto gṛhasthāśramasaṃsthitaḥ / śiloñche tasya kathite dve vṛttī paramarṣibhiḥ

Translation

然而，被称为“不修行者”(asādhaka)而住于家住期（gṛhastha-āśrama）的居士，关于“尸罗恩叉”(śiloñcha)与收集之法，诸大圣仙为他宣说了两种生计。

Word by Word

• असाधकः: one who is not a practitioner
• असाधकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असाधक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषणार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्ध-प्रत्यय (relative pronoun)

• प्रोक्तः: is said/has been declared
• प्रोक्तः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र√वच् (धातु) → प्रोक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय-विशेषण

• गृहस्थ-आश्रम-संस्थितः: situated in the householder-āśrama
• गृहस्थ-आश्रम-संस्थितः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गृहस्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष (गृहस्थाश्रमे संस्थितः)

• शिलोञ्छे: in/with regard to gleaning
• शिलोञ्छे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिलोञ्छ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कथिते: are stated
• कथिते: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कथित (कृदन्त; √कथ् धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषण (qualifying वृत्ती)

• द्वे: two
• द्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषण (of वृत्ती)

• वृत्ती: modes of livelihood
• वृत्ती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• परम-ऋषिभिः: by the great sages
• परम-ऋषिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (परमा ऋषयः)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the sages’ teaching on dharma)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Paramarshi (great sages)
• Gṛhastha-āśrama

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

This verse is primarily dharma-oriented: it regulates outward conduct (livelihood) for a householder who is not engaged in rigorous sādhana; it implies that inner realization is supported by purity and restraint in one’s means of living.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

No specific meditation technique is taught here; instead, it highlights a preparatory discipline aligned with Yoga ethics—non-greed and restraint—by recommending austere livelihoods like śiloñcha, which reduce attachment and support steadiness of mind.

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

The verse does not directly mention Shiva–Vishnu unity; its teaching fits the Kurma Purana’s synthesis by grounding spiritual life in shared dharma principles (restraint, purity, non-possessiveness) that support both Shaiva and Vaishnava paths.