Purva-vibhaga
पूर्वविभाग
Purva-vibhaga of the Kurma Purana
Chapter 3 · 51 shlokas
+ Add ShlokaThe Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 1
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 1
वर्णा भगवतोद्दिष्टाश्चत्वारो ऽप्याश्रमास्तथा। इदानीं क्रममस्माकमाश्रमाणां वद प्रभो।।
varṇā bhagavatoddiṣṭāścatvāro 'pyāśramāstathā| idānīṃ kramamasmākamāśramāṇāṃ vada prabho||
O Lord, the castes have been enumerated as four by your holy Lordship, so also the stages of life. Be pleased now to elucidate the order of the stages of life^ {asramas) to us.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 1
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 1
अव्यक्तादभवत कालः प्रधानं पुरुषः परः। तेभ्यः सर्वमिदं जातं तस्माद ब्रह्ममयं जगत।।
avyaktādabhavat kālaḥ pradhānaṃ puruṣaḥ paraḥ| tebhyaḥ sarvamidaṃ jātaṃ tasmād brahmamayaṃ jagat||
Kala (Time), Pradhana or Prakrti and the supreme Purusa originated from the unmanifest (Brahman). All these (objects of the universe) were born of them. Hence the universe is identical with Brahman.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 2
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 2
ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थश्च वानप्रस्थो यतिस्तथा। क्रमेणैवाश्रमाः प्रोक्ताः कारणादन्यथा भवेत।।
brahmacārī gṛhasthaśca vānaprastho yatistathā| krameṇaivāśramāḥ proktāḥ kāraṇādanyathā bhavet||
The Asramas have been proclaimed in their serial order as follows^ : Brahmacdrin (the religious student), Grhastha (the house-holder), Vdnaprastha (the forest hermit), and Tati (the Recluse). 2 This serial order may be otherwise for special reasons.^ is not traced in the Vedic Samhitds or Brdhmana texts, but that does not mean that the dirama system was non-existent in those limes. For we find the v^ord Brahmacdrin \i\ RV.X. 109.5 and in AV.V. 17.5 Brahmacdri carati vevisad visah sa devdndrh bhavatyekam angam / ‘O gods 1 He (Brhaspati) is all-pervasiv'e and moves as a Brahmacdri pervading all sacrifices. The word grhapati —‘House-holder* is used for Agni in RV. II. 1.2 Tavd'gne hotram . . . Brahmd cdsi grhapatiica no dame /
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 2
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 2
सर्वतः पाणिपादं तत सर्वतो ऽक्षिशिरोमुखम। सर्वतः श्रुतिमल्लोके सर्वमावृत्य तिष्ठति।।
sarvataḥ pāṇipādaṃ tat sarvato 'kṣiśiromukham| sarvataḥ śrutimalloke sarvamāvṛtya tiṣṭhati||
All round it has (the extremities of) hands and feet; it has eyes, heads and mouths on all sides; all round, it has €ars; it exists enveloping the world*.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 3
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 3
उत्पन्नज्ञानविज्ञानो वैराग्यं परमं गतः। प्रव्रजेद ब्रह्मचर्यात तु यदिच्छेत परमां गतिम।।
utpannajñānavijñāno vairāgyaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ| pravrajed brahmacaryāt tu yadicchet paramāṃ gatim||
KP. 3.2. KdraiTidd anyathd bhavet : An echo of Jdbdla Up. : ‘A person may renounce the world after the stage of student-hood or after
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 3
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 3
सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम। सर्वाधारं सदानन्दमव्यक्तं द्वैतवर्जितम।।
sarvendriyaguṇābhāsaṃ sarvendriyavivarjitam| sarvādhāraṃ sadānandamavyaktaṃ dvaitavarjitam||
It appears to possess the attributes of the sense or¬ gans but it. is devoid of all sense-organs. It is the support of all; it is perpetual bliss, unmanifest and devoid of duality. * *
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 4
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 4
दारानाहृत्य विधिवदन्यथा विविधैर्मखैः। यजेदुत्पादयेत पुत्रान विरक्तो यदि संन्यसेत।।
dārānāhṛtya vidhivadanyathā vividhairmakhaiḥ| yajedutpādayet putrān virakto yadi saṃnyaset||
A religious student (at the close of the period of his studies) should duly marry a woman, if he is not detached, and procreate sons. He should also perform different kinds of sacri¬ fices. But, if he is really unattached to worldly life, he should renounce the world (even without duly performing sacrifices etc.).^
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 4
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 4
सर्वोपमानरहितं प्रमाणातीतगोचरम। निर्विकल्पं निराभासं सर्वावासं परामृतम।।
sarvopamānarahitaṃ pramāṇātītagocaram| nirvikalpaṃ nirābhāsaṃ sarvāvāsaṃ parāmṛtam||
It is non-comparable. It is beyond all means of valid knowledge and is yet comprehensible; it is devoid of all alterna¬ tives; it is free from appearances (?); it is the abode of all; it is the supreme deathless one. It is non-different (from the universe) yet it is stationed separately on a different footing). It is con¬ stant, unchanging and eternal. It is devoid of Gunas. It is the highest brilliance. Sages know that to be perfect knowledge.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 5
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 5
अनिष्ट्वा विधिवद यज्ञैरनुत्पाद्य तथात्मजम। नगार्हस्थ्यं गृहीत्यक्त्वा संन्यसेद बुद्धिमान द्विजः।।
aniṣṭvā vidhivad yajñairanutpādya tathātmajam| nagārhasthyaṃ gṛhītyaktvā saṃnyased buddhimān dvijaḥ||
But normally an intelligent Brahmana house-holder shall not renounce by eschewing house-holder’s life without duly performing sacrifices, and without procreating sons.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 5
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 5
अभिन्नं भिन्नसंस्थानं शाश्वतं ध्रु वमव्ययम। निर्गुणं परमं व्योम तज्ज्ञानं सूरयो विदुः।।
abhinnaṃ bhinnasaṃsthānaṃ śāśvataṃ dhru vamavyayam| nirguṇaṃ paramaṃ vyoma tajjñānaṃ sūrayo viduḥ||
It is non-comparable. It is beyond all means of valid knowledge and is yet comprehensible; it is devoid of all alterna¬ tives; it is free from appearances (?); it is the abode of all; it is the supreme deathless one. It is non-different (from the universe) yet it is stationed separately on a different footing). It is con¬ stant, unchanging and eternal. It is devoid of Gunas. It is the highest brilliance. Sages know that to be perfect knowledge.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 6
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 6
स आत्मा सर्वभूतानां स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः परः। सो ऽहं सर्वत्रगः शान्तो ज्ञानात्मा परमेश्वरः।।
sa ātmā sarvabhūtānāṃ sa bāhyābhyantaraḥ paraḥ| so 'haṃ sarvatragaḥ śānto jñānātmā parameśvaraḥ||
It is the Atman of all living beings; he is both within and without; he is the supreme (beyond all). I am that Atman, the omnipresent, quiescent, the great Isvara and the embodi¬ ment of knowledge (consciousness).
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 6
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 6
अथ वैराग्यवेगेन स्थातुं नोत्सहते गृहे। तत्रैव संन्यसेद विद्वाननिष्ट्वापि द्विजोत्तमः।।
atha vairāgyavegena sthātuṃ notsahate gṛhe| tatraiva saṃnyased vidvānaniṣṭvāpi dvijottamaḥ||
But, however, if due to the force of growing sense of detachment, he does not feel inclined to lead the life of the house-holder, the spiritually wise excellent Brahmana should renounce then and there his house-holdership, even without performing sacrifices.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 7
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 7
मया ततमिदं विश्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना। मत्स्थानि सर्वभूतानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित।।
mayā tatamidaṃ viśvaṃ jagadavyaktamūrtinā| matsthāni sarvabhūtāni yastaṃ veda sa vedavit||
All this universe consisting of the mobiles and immo- biles has been pervaded by me. All beings exist in me.j" He who has realized this knowledge is the real knower of the Vedas.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 7
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 7
अन्यथा विविधैर्यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा वनमथाक्षयेत। तपस्तप्त्वा तपोयोगाद विरक्तः संन्यसेद यदि।।
anyathā vividhairyajñairiṣṭvā vanamathākṣayet| tapastaptvā tapoyogād viraktaḥ saṃnyased yadi||
Still (the best course is) after performing various kinds of sacrifices, one should take to the life of a forest hermit and perform penance. Thereafter, becoming completely detached by virtue of his penance, he should renounce (as a Tati) .2 being a house-holder etc. The very day on which detachment for the world dawns in him, he should renounce the world and become a sannaydsin : {^yadi vetarathd brahmacaryddeva parivrajedy • . . . . ,Yadahareva virajet tadahareva pravrajet /
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 8
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 8
प्रधानं पुरुषं चैव तत्त्वद्वयमुदाहृतम। तयोरनादिरुद्दिष्टः कालः संयोजकः परः।।
pradhānaṃ puruṣaṃ caiva tattvadvayamudāhṛtam| tayoranādiruddiṣṭaḥ kālaḥ saṃyojakaḥ paraḥ||
That entity is said to be both Pradhana and Purusa. Kala, manifesting through their union, is said to be the greatest and beginningless.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 8
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 8
वानप्रस्थाश्रमं गत्वा न गृहं प्रविशेत पुनः। न संन्यासी वनं चाथ ब्रह्माचर्यं न साधकः।।
vānaprasthāśramaṃ gatvā na gṛhaṃ praviśet punaḥ| na saṃnyāsī vanaṃ cātha brahmācaryaṃ na sādhakaḥ||
Once a householder goes out of his household (renouncing his stage of life as a householder) and resorts to the stage of a forest-dweller {Vdnaprastha) , he shall not re-enter the house-holder’s stage, nor an ascetic {Sannyasin) go back to the life of a forest-hermit, nor should a Sadhaka householder revert to the life of a religious student.^
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 9
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 9
त्रयमेतदनाद्यन्तमव्यक्ते समवस्थितम। तदात्मकं तदन्यत स्यात तद्रूपं मामकं विदुः।।
trayametadanādyantamavyakte samavasthitam| tadātmakaṃ tadanyat syāt tadrūpaṃ māmakaṃ viduḥ||
All these three are devoid of beginning and end; they are stationed in the Unmanifest Brahman, but the wise sages ♦BG. 13.13, Svet. 3.16. **BG. 13.14, Svet. 3.17. fBG. ix. 4. II.3.10-19 349 knew that my form (person) is both identical with as well as different from them.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 9
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 9
प्राजापत्यां निरूप्येष्टिमाग्नेयीमथवा द्विजः। प्रव्रजेत गृही विद्वान वनाद वा श्रुतिचोदनात।।
prājāpatyāṃ nirūpyeṣṭimāgneyīmathavā dvijaḥ| pravrajeta gṛhī vidvān vanād vā śruticodanāt||
A Brahmana should complete the sacrifice called Prdjdpatya or Agneyi and then renounce.^ The scholarly house¬ holder should renounce through the stage of a forest dweller, in accordance with the injunctions of the Sruti.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 10
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 10
महदाद्यं विशेषान्तं संप्रसूते ऽखिलं जगत। या सा प्रकृतिरुद्दिष्टा मोहिनी सर्वदेहिनाम।।
mahadādyaṃ viśeṣāntaṃ saṃprasūte 'khilaṃ jagat| yā sā prakṛtiruddiṣṭā mohinī sarvadehinām||
That which is said to be Prakrti gives birth to the entire universe beginning with Mahat and ending with Visesas {the particularised forms). It deludes all embodied beings.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 10
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 10
प्रकर्तुमसमर्थो ऽपि जुहोतियजतिक्रियाः। अन्धः पङ्गुर्दरिद्रो वा विरक्तः संन्यसेद द्विजः।।
prakartumasamartho 'pi juhotiyajatikriyāḥ| andhaḥ paṅgurdaridro vā viraktaḥ saṃnyased dvijaḥ||
One who is incapable of performing a //bma and sacrificial rites, physically handicapped persons like a blind man or a lame man, or an indigent Brahmana, if detached, should renounce as a Sannydsin.^
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 11
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 11
पुरुषः प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङ्क्तेयः प्राकृतान गुणान। अहङ्कारविमुक्तत्वात प्रोच्यते पञ्चविंशकः।।
puruṣaḥ prakṛtistho hi bhuṅkteyaḥ prākṛtān guṇān| ahaṅkāravimuktatvāt procyate pañcaviṃśakaḥ||
Stationed in the Prakrti, the Purusa enjoys the attri¬ butes of Prakrti.* Since it is devoid of the ego, it is called Pancavimsaka (the total of twenty-five Principles or the twenty- fifth Principle).
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 11
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 11
सर्वेषामेव वैराग्यं संन्यासाय विधीयते। पतत्येवाविरक्तो यः संन्यासं कर्तुमिच्छति।।
sarveṣāmeva vairāgyaṃ saṃnyāsāya vidhīyate| patatyevāvirakto yaḥ saṃnyāsaṃ kartumicchati||
In the matter of renouncing by any one, the main reason should be Vairdgya (dispassion). Ifone wishes to renounce without being detached, he falls indeed.*
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 12
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 12
एकस्मिन्नथवा सम्यग वर्तेतामरणं द्विजः। श्रद्धावनाश्रमे युक्तः सो ऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते।।
ekasminnathavā samyag vartetāmaraṇaṃ dvijaḥ| śraddhāvanāśrame yuktaḥ so 'mṛtatvāya kalpate||
Or, if a faithful person continues to remain in one ASrama (throughout his life) till death, he is entitled for eternity or Mok?a.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 12
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 12
आद्यो विकारः प्रकृतेर्महानात्मेति कथ्यते। विज्ञानशक्तिर्विज्ञाता ह्यहङ्कारस्तदुत्थितः।।
ādyo vikāraḥ prakṛtermahānātmeti kathyate| vijñānaśaktirvijñātā hyahaṅkārastadutthitaḥ||
The first evolute of Prakrti is called Mahat. Through its knowledge of being endowed with knowledge, Ahamkara (ego) was evolved out of it.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 13
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 13
न्यायागतधनः शान्तो ब्रह्मविद्यापरायणः। स्वधर्मपालको नित्यं सो ऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते।।
nyāyāgatadhanaḥ śānto brahmavidyāparāyaṇaḥ| svadharmapālako nityaṃ so 'mṛtatvāya kalpate||
A person who earns wealth by honest, justifiable means {v.l. one who has given away all his wealth in charity), a quiescent person devoted to Brahma-vidya and the person who strictly observes his religious duties, becomes entitled to attain identity with the Brahman.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 13
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 13
एक एव महानात्मा सो ऽहङ्कारो ऽभिधीयते। स जीवः सो ऽन्तरात्मेति गीयते तत्त्वचिन्तकैः।।
eka eva mahānātmā so 'haṅkāro 'bhidhīyate| sa jīvaḥ so 'ntarātmeti gīyate tattvacintakaiḥ||
The principle called Mahat is one and it is (also known as) Atman. He is also called Aharhkara (the principle individuation). It is called jiva (the individual self) and the inner soul by the thinkers of the real principles.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 14
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 14
तेन वेदयते सर्वं सुखं दुःखं च जन्मसु। स विज्ञानात्मकस्तस्य मनः स्यादुपकारकम।।
tena vedayate sarvaṃ sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ ca janmasu| sa vijñānātmakastasya manaḥ syādupakārakam||
It is through it (ego) that (the soul) experiences pleasure and misery in the (various) births. It is of the nature of Vijhana (knowledge) and the Manas (mind) is its accessory.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 14
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 14
ब्रह्मण्याधाय क्रमाणि निःसङ्गः कामवर्जितः। प्रसन्नेनैव मनसा कुर्वाणो याति तत्पदम।।
brahmaṇyādhāya kramāṇi niḥsaṅgaḥ kāmavarjitaḥ| prasannenaiva manasā kurvāṇo yāti tatpadam||
A person who resigns all his actions to the Brahman, who is free from attachment, who is devoid of passion of love and who performs his essential righteous duties with a delighted heart, shall attain to the region oiBrahman.^
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 15
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 15
तेनाविवेकतस्तस्मात संसारः पुरुषस्य तु। स चाविवेकः प्रकृतौ सङ्गात कालेन सो ऽभवत।।
tenāvivekatastasmāt saṃsāraḥ puruṣasya tu| sa cāvivekaḥ prakṛtau saṅgāt kālena so 'bhavat||
Purusa identifies himself (with the world) even due to that (ego) and is involved in Sarhsara. That ignorance originates due to the union of Prakrti and Kala.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 15
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 15
ब्रह्मणा दीयते देयं ब्रह्मणे संप्रदीयते। ब्रह्मैव दीयते चेति ब्रह्मार्पणमिदं परम।।
brahmaṇā dīyate deyaṃ brahmaṇe saṃpradīyate| brahmaiva dīyate ceti brahmārpaṇamidaṃ param||
Whatever is there to be given is given by Brahman, everything that is donated is also the Brahman, and it is the Brahman that is given—this is called the highest type of dedica¬ tion unto Brahman {Brahmdrpana)
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 16
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 16
नाहं कर्ता सर्वमेतद ब्रह्मैव कुरुते तथा। एतद ब्रह्मार्पणं प्रोक्तमृषिभिः तत्त्वदर्शिभिः।।
nāhaṃ kartā sarvametad brahmaiva kurute tathā| etad brahmārpaṇaṃ proktamṛṣibhiḥ tattvadarśibhiḥ||
“I am not the agent or the doer, it is the Brahman alone that makes everything”—this attitude is called Brahmdrpana by sages who visualise the reality.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 16
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 16
कालः सृजति भूतानि कालः संहरति प्रजाः। सर्वे कालस्य वशगा न कालः कस्यचिद वशे।।
kālaḥ sṛjati bhūtāni kālaḥ saṃharati prajāḥ| sarve kālasya vaśagā na kālaḥ kasyacid vaśe||
Kala (Time) creates the living beings, Kala annihi¬ lates the subjects. Everything is dependent on Kala; Kala is not under the control of anyone.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 17
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 17
सो ऽन्तरा सर्वमेवेदं नियच्छति सनातनः। प्रोच्यते भगवान प्राणः सर्वज्ञः पुरुषोत्तमः।।
so 'ntarā sarvamevedaṃ niyacchati sanātanaḥ| procyate bhagavān prāṇaḥ sarvajñaḥ puruṣottamaḥ||
He is eternal and restrains everything from within. He is called Prana (the vital breath), omniscient, Lord Purusot- tama (The Supreme Purusa).
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 17
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 17
प्रीणातु भगवानीशः कर्मणानेन शाश्वतः। करोति सततं बुद्ध्या ब्रह्मार्पणमिदं परम।।
prīṇātu bhagavānīśaḥ karmaṇānena śāśvataḥ| karoti satataṃ buddhyā brahmārpaṇamidaṃ param||
“May the eternal Lord Isa be pleased by means of this rite.” He who thinks like this, makes the great dedication of Brahmdrparia.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 18
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 18
यद्वा फलानां संन्यासं प्रकुर्यात परमेश्वरे। कर्मणामेतदप्याहुः ब्रह्मार्पणमनुत्तमम।।
yadvā phalānāṃ saṃnyāsaṃ prakuryāt parameśvare| karmaṇāmetadapyāhuḥ brahmārpaṇamanuttamam||
Or, the dedication of fruits of all actions unto the Supreme Lord is called the greatest dedication of Karmas. It is the excellent Brahmdrpana.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 18
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 18
सर्वेन्द्रियेभ्यः परमं मन आहुर्मनीषिणः। मनसश्चाप्यहङ्कारमहङ्कारान्महान परः।।
sarvendriyebhyaḥ paramaṃ mana āhurmanīṣiṇaḥ| manasaścāpyahaṅkāramahaṅkārānmahān paraḥ||
Learned men say that Manas (mind) is superior to and beyond the sense-organs. Aharhkara is greater than and beyond Manor, and the principle Mahat is greater than Aharhkara.**
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 19
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 19
कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं सङ्गवर्जितम। क्रियते विदुषा कर्म तद्भवेदपि मोक्षदम।।
kāryamityeva yatkarma niyataṃ saṅgavarjitam| kriyate viduṣā karma tadbhavedapi mokṣadam||
An action performed by a discriminating learned person may be even the bestower of salvation, if it is performed regularly without attachment with the belief that it is binding upon him that he should do it.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 19
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 19
महतः परमव्यक्तमव्यक्तात पुरुषः परः। पुरुषाद भगवान प्राणस्तस्य सर्वमिदं जगत।।
mahataḥ paramavyaktamavyaktāt puruṣaḥ paraḥ| puruṣād bhagavān prāṇastasya sarvamidaṃ jagat||
Avyakta {the unmanikst Prakrti) is greater than and beyond Mahat, Purusa is Superior to and beyond Avjakta; Lord ♦BGi xiii. 2r ♦*BG. in. 42; also Kafha Up. VI. 7, 8 and III. 10-, 11; 350 Kurtna Pur ana Prdria, the vital breath, is greater than and beyond Purusa; all this universe belongs to and is controlled by him.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 20
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 20
प्राणात परतरं व्योम व्योमातीतो ऽग्निरीश्वरः। सो ऽहं सर्वत्रगः शान्तो ज्ञानात्मा परमेश्वरः। नास्ति मत्तः परं भूतं मां विज्ञाय विमुच्यते।।
prāṇāt parataraṃ vyoma vyomātīto 'gnirīśvaraḥ| so 'haṃ sarvatragaḥ śānto jñānātmā parameśvaraḥ| nāsti mattaḥ paraṃ bhūtaṃ māṃ vijñāya vimucyate||
Vyoman (the ether) is greater than and beyond Prana; the fire-god is beyond Vyoman; I am that unchanging Brahman; the quiescent one. This universe is beyond Maya (v.l. I am the embodiment of knowledge, the supreme lord).
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 20
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 20
अन्यथा यदि कर्माणि कुर्यान्नित्यमपि द्विजः। अकृत्वा फलसंन्यासं बध्यते तत्फलेन तु।।
anyathā yadi karmāṇi kuryānnityamapi dvijaḥ| akṛtvā phalasaṃnyāsaṃ badhyate tatphalena tu||
Or, if a Brahmana performs even his daily prescribed righteous duties (like the daily Sandhyd prayers etc.) without dedicating the fruit thereof to the Lord, he is fettered by its fruit.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 21
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 21
तस्मात सर्वप्रयत्नेन त्यक्त्वा कर्माश्रितं फलम। अविद्वानपि कुर्वोत कर्माप्नोत्यचिरात पदम।।
tasmāt sarvaprayatnena tyaktvā karmāśritaṃ phalam| avidvānapi kurvota karmāpnotyacirāt padam||
Hence, even if a person who is not learned were to put forth all efforts and resign to the Lord the fruits of all
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 21
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 21
नित्यं हि नास्ति जगति भूतं स्थावरजङ्गमम। ऋते मामेकमव्यक्तं व्योमरूपं महेश्वरम।।
nityaṃ hi nāsti jagati bhūtaṃ sthāvarajaṅgamam| ṛte māmekamavyaktaṃ vyomarūpaṃ maheśvaram||
There is no other living being greater than I. By realising me, one is liberated. The living beings including the mobile and the immobile ones in the universe are not eternal with the exception of me, the unmanifest, Mahesvara of the form of the Vyoman, (the universe has no separate existence). I create everything; I annihilate the universe for ever.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 22
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 22
सो ऽहं सृजामि सकलं संहरामि सदा जगत। मायी मायामयो देवः कालेन सह सङ्गतः।।
so 'haṃ sṛjāmi sakalaṃ saṃharāmi sadā jagat| māyī māyāmayo devaḥ kālena saha saṅgataḥ||
There is no other living being greater than I. By realising me, one is liberated. The living beings including the mobile and the immobile ones in the universe are not eternal with the exception of me, the unmanifest, Mahesvara of the form of the Vyoman, (the universe has no separate existence). I create everything; I annihilate the universe for ever.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 22
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 22
कर्मणा क्षीयते पापमैहिकं पौर्विकं तथा। मनः प्रसादमन्वेति ब्रह्म विज्ञायते ततः।।
karmaṇā kṣīyate pāpamaihikaṃ paurvikaṃ tathā| manaḥ prasādamanveti brahma vijñāyate tataḥ||
The sin both of this birth as well as that of the previous births is wiped off by the Karman. The doer of the Karman attains serenity of mind and becomes a knower of the Brahman.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 23
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 23
कर्मणा सहिताज्ज्ञानात सम्यग योगो ऽबिजायते। ज्ञानं च कर्मसहितं जायते दोषवर्जितम।।
karmaṇā sahitājjñānāt samyag yogo 'bijāyate| jñānaṃ ca karmasahitaṃ jāyate doṣavarjitam||
The Toga becomes perfect through Jhdna (spiritual knowledge) accompanied by Karman and the. Jhdnam. association with Karman, becomes free from defects.
Prakrti and Puru^a Ikara said : - Verse 23
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 23
मत्सन्निधावेष कालः करोति सकलं जगत। नियोजयत्यनन्तात्मा ह्येतद वेदानुशासनम।।
matsannidhāveṣa kālaḥ karoti sakalaṃ jagat| niyojayatyanantātmā hyetad vedānuśāsanam||
The lord, master of Maya and identical with it, is united with Kala. Due to my presence this Kala, the infinite Atman, creates the entire universe and controls it (by propel¬ ling it to work). This is the injunction (teaching) of the Vedas.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 24
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 24
तस्मात सर्वप्रयत्नेन तत्र तत्राश्रमे रतः। कर्माणीश्वरतुष्ट्यर्थं कुर्यान्नैष्कर्म्यमाप्नुयात।।
tasmāt sarvaprayatnena tatra tatrāśrame rataḥ| karmāṇīśvaratuṣṭyarthaṃ kuryānnaiṣkarmyamāpnuyāt||
Hence, by every means should a man, whatever be the stage of life he is engaged in, do the Karman for the satisfaction of Isvara (the Ruler of the universe). He shall then attain salvation, or the state of inactivity {Naiskarmya).
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 25
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 25
संप्राप्य परमं ज्ञानं नैष्कर्म्यं तत्प्रसादतः। एकाकी निर्ममः शान्तो जीवन्नेव विमुच्यते।।
saṃprāpya paramaṃ jñānaṃ naiṣkarmyaṃ tatprasādataḥ| ekākī nirmamaḥ śānto jīvanneva vimucyate||
After attaining the great spiritual knowledge and the state of inactivity or freedom from Karman through His grace, the man, remaining single, quiescent and free from the sense of ‘my-ness’ becomes released from Sarnsdra even as he is alive.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 26
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 26
वीक्षते परमात्मानं परं ब्रह्म महेश्वरम। नित्यानन्दं निराभासं तस्मिन्नेव लयं व्रजेत।।
vīkṣate paramātmānaṃ paraṃ brahma maheśvaram| nityānandaṃ nirābhāsaṃ tasminneva layaṃ vrajet||
He visualizes the great Atman, the Supreme Brahman, and the great Isvara. Possessing perpetual bliss and free from fallacious semblance, he shall become merged unto that Brahman alone.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 27
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 27
तस्मात सेवेत सततं कर्मयोगं प्रसन्नधीः। तृप्तये परमेशस्य तत पदं याति शाश्वतम।।
tasmāt seveta satataṃ karmayogaṃ prasannadhīḥ| tṛptaye parameśasya tat padaṃ yāti śāśvatam||
Hence, one should resort to the path of action incessantly with a serene mind, for the satisfaction and pleasure of the Supreme Lord, and he shall attain his eternal region.
The Order of Stages of Life and the Four Castes. - Verse 28
Kurma Purana (GRETIL / Internet Archive OCR) · Chapter 3 · Verse 28
एतद वः सथितं सर्वं चातुराश्रम्यमुत्तमम। न ह्येतत समतिक्रम्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः।।
etad vaḥ sathitaṃ sarvaṃ cāturāśramyamuttamam| na hyetat samatikramya siddhiṃ vindati mānavaḥ||
Thus, the excellent arrangement of the four stages of life in their serial order has been completely recounted to you. No man attains emancipation from Sarnsdra by transgressing this.