Shloka 16
Vashikarana–Stambhana Prayogas and Garbha-Sambhava Yogas
अङ्गुष्ठे च पदे गुल्फे जानौ च जघने तथा / नाभौ वक्षसि कुक्षौ च कक्षे कण्ठे कपोलके
aṅguṣṭhe ca pade gulphe jānau ca jaghane tathā / nābhau vakṣasi kukṣau ca kakṣe kaṇṭhe kapolake
Am großen Zeh, am Fuß, am Knöchel, am Knie und ebenso am Oberschenkel; am Nabel, an der Brust, am Bauch, in der Achsel, am Hals und an der Wange—(es gibt bestimmte Stellen, an denen die Wirkungen erfahren werden).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Knowledge of bodily loci as a prerequisite for applying subtle practices; the body as a field of correspondences.
Vedantic Theme: Deha as upadhi: structured embodiment through which experiences arise; knowledge here is technical rather than liberative.
Application: Identify specific body regions (toe, foot, ankle, knee, thigh, navel, chest, belly, armpit, throat, cheek) as seats of effects—likely for interpreting signs or applying procedures described around this passage.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: microcosmic locus
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.178.17 (lunar phases stationed on facial/head points)
FAQs
The verse maps specific bodily locations as loci where particular effects are felt, supporting the Garuda Purana’s teaching that karmic results can manifest through identifiable physical/subtle-body points.
Indirectly, it supports the doctrine that experiences tied to karma are not random; even embodied sensations and signs have patterned locations, which later extend into post-death experiences described elsewhere in the dialogue.
Use it as a reminder to observe one’s conduct and health with accountability—seeing life experiences as ethically consequential—and to follow dharmic living and appropriate rites with sincerity rather than fear.