Kurma Purana — Uttara Bhaga, Shloka 106

Prāyaścitta for Theft, Forbidden Foods, Impurity, and Ritual Lapses; Tīrtha–Vrata Remedies; Pativratā Mahātmyam via Sītā and Agni

Devanagari script

तपो जपस्तीर्थसेवा देवब्राह्मणपूजनम् / ग्रहणादिषु कालेषु महापातकशोधनम्

Transliteration

tapo japastīrthasevā devabrāhmaṇapūjanam / grahaṇādiṣu kāleṣu mahāpātakaśodhanam

Translation

苦行、持咒诵念、供奉圣地渡口（tīrtha）、礼敬诸天与婆罗门——若在日月食等时刻行之，亦能净除大罪（mahāpātaka）。

Word by Word

• tapaḥ: austerity
• tapaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समाहार/सूची-प्रयोग

• japaḥ: recitation (japa)
• japaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: japa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार/सूची-प्रयोग

• tīrthasevā: service at sacred places
• tīrthasevā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha-sevā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (tīrtha + sevā)

• devabrāhmaṇapūjanam: worship of gods and brāhmaṇas
• devabrāhmaṇapūjanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva-brāhmaṇa-pūjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (deva + brāhmaṇa) + तत्पुरुष (… + pūjana)

• grahaṇādiṣu: during eclipses and the like
• grahaṇādiṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grahaṇa-ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘ādi’ (etc.)-समास; अधिकरण (locative)

• kāleṣu: at times
• kāleṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; अधिकरण

• mahāpātakaśodhanam: purification from great sins
• mahāpātakaśodhanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-pātaka-śodhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (mahā+pātaka) + तत्पुरुष (… + śodhana)

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing sages/disciples on dharma and prāyaścitta

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmanas
• Tirtha

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

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

It frames purification as an inner transformation achieved through disciplined practice (tapas, japa) and sacred-oriented conduct; such cleansing prepares the mind for Self-knowledge by reducing pāpa and mental impurity.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

Japa (mantra-recitation) and tapas (austerity/discipline) are emphasized, along with tīrtha-sevā and worship—practices that function as purificatory supports aligning the practitioner with dharma and steadiness of mind.

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

By stressing shared dharmic means—tapas, mantra, pilgrimage, and worship—it reflects the Purana’s synthetic approach where devotion and purification practices are upheld across Shaiva-Vaishnava frameworks rather than set in opposition.