Shloka 15

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing Hari with the Pavitra

Devanagari script

उत्तमोंऽगुष्ठमानेन मध्यमो मध्यमेन तु / कन्यसे च कनिष्ठेन अङ्गुल्या ग्रन्थयः स्मृताः

Transliteration

uttamoṃ'guṣṭhamānena madhyamo madhyamena tu / kanyase ca kaniṣṭhena aṅgulyā granthayaḥ smṛtāḥ

Translation

Das beste Maß wird nach dem Daumen genommen, das mittlere nach dem Mittelfinger, und das kleinere nach dem kleinen Finger; so werden die Fingerglieder (Phalangen) der Überlieferung gemäß nach diesen Maßen gezählt.

Word by Word

• उत्तमः: the best (type)
• उत्तमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (अन्तर्भूत-नाम)

• अङ्गुष्ठमानेन: by the measure of a thumb
• अङ्गुष्ठमानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अङ्गुष्ठस्य मानम्)

• मध्यमः: the middle (type)
• मध्यमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (अन्तर्भूत-नाम)

• मध्यमेन: by the middle (measure)
• मध्यमेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; साधनवाचक

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• कन्यसे: in the least (type)
• कन्यसे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कन्यस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; विशेषण; (कन्यसे = कन्यसे [loc.sg.])

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• कनिष्ठेन: by the smallest (measure)
• कनिष्ठेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• अङ्गुल्या: by a finger
• अङ्गुल्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• ग्रन्थयः: knots
• ग्रन्थयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रन्थि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• स्मृताः: are said/are prescribed
• स्मृताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Using the body as a canonical measure for ritual objects; graded measures correspond to graded ritual standards.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline of action (karma) and attention (ekāgratā) as preparatory purification.

Application: When counting/spacing knots or units, use the specified finger-based measures: thumb for uttama, middle finger for madhyama, little finger for kanistha.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43 (pavitraka/granthi measurement system; continuation of uttama–madhyama–kanistha scheme)

FAQs

What is the importance of finger-based measurement (aṅgula pramāṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves a traditional, body-based standard for ritual precision, indicating that correct measures (using thumb, middle finger, or little finger) are part of proper dhārmic procedure.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana narrative?

Indirectly: it emphasizes disciplined observance and correct ritual method, which the text links elsewhere to merit (puṇya) and support for the departed—though this specific verse focuses on measurement rules.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing traditional rites or temple/household observances that require measurements, use consistent finger-based measures as taught in tradition, prioritizing accuracy and sincerity over improvisation.