Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 68

Kapālamocana: The Cutting of Brahmā’s Fifth Head, Śiva’s Kāpālika Vow, and Purification in Vārāṇasī

Devanagari script

चर त्वं पापनाशार्थं व्रतं लोकहितावहम् / कपालहस्तो भगवान् भिक्षां गृह्णातु सर्वतः

Transliteration

cara tvaṃ pāpanāśārthaṃ vrataṃ lokahitāvaham / kapālahasto bhagavān bhikṣāṃ gṛhṇātu sarvataḥ

Translation

当修此誓戒以灭罪业，此行能饶益世间。愿具福之主手持骷髅钵，从四方八面受取施食。

Word by Word

• चर: practice/perform
• चर: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/स्त्री (common), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• पाप-नाश-अर्थम्: for the purpose of destroying sin
• पाप-नाश-अर्थम्: Prayojana/Hetu (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप + नाश + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नाशस्य अर्थः)

• व्रतम्: vow
• व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• लोक-हित-आवहम्: bringing welfare to the world
• लोक-हित-आवहम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक + हित + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (लोकस्य हितम् आवहति इति) विशेषणम् (व्रतम्)

• कपाल-हस्तः: one whose hand holds a skull
• कपाल-हस्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपाल + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः बहुव्रीहिः (कपालः हस्ते यस्य सः)

• भगवान्: the Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भिक्षाम्: alms
• भिक्षाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• गृह्णातु: let him take/receive
• गृह्णातु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative/benedictive sense), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सर्वतः: from everywhere, on all sides
• सर्वतः: Desha (देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Narratorial injunction within the Kurma Purana’s dharma-expiation context (instructional voice addressed to the practitioner/recipient of the teaching)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavan
• Kapalahasta (Skull-bowl-bearing Lord, Shaiva epithet)

More Details (3 sections)

FAQs

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

Indirectly: it frames liberation-oriented discipline through sin-removal and world-benefit, implying that inner purity and self-restraint are prerequisites for realizing the higher Self beyond moral impurity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights vrata (disciplined observance) and bhikṣā (alms-taking/receiving as a regulated ascetic practice). In the Kurma Purana’s spiritual ethic, such restraints support steadiness of mind and purification—foundational supports for yogic contemplation.

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

By using the Shaiva epithet “kapālahasta” for “Bhagavān,” the verse reflects the Purana’s integrative theology where Shaiva symbols can express the one Lord’s austerity and grace, aligning with a Shiva–Vishnu unity in practice and devotion.