Shloka 59

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

अङ्गुष्ठौ चोपरि न्यस्तौ जान्वारेथ कराङ्गुली / जानुपृष्ठे तथा नेत्रे जानुमध्ये च नासिका

Transliteration

aṅguṣṭhau copari nyastau jānvāretha karāṅgulī / jānupṛṣṭhe tathā netre jānumadhye ca nāsikā

Translation

Lege beide Daumen oben auf und setze die Finger der Hände auf die Knie; richte die Augen auf den hinteren Grat der Knie und halte die Nase auf den Raum zwischen den Knien ausgerichtet.

Word by Word

• अङ्गुष्ठौ: the two thumbs
• अङ्गुष्ठौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), द्विवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Dual)

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

• उपरि: above/on
• उपरि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरि (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb/preposition: above/on)

• न्यस्तौ: placed
• न्यस्तौ: Kriya (State/क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन (PPP; Masculine, Nominative, Dual)

• जान्वा: with/at the knee
• जान्वा: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; साधन/आधारार्थे (Neuter, Instrumental, Singular)

• अरेथ: then/indeed (variant)
• अरेथ: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अरेथ (अव्यय/पदविशेष)
• Form: पाठान्तर-निपात; अर्थे ‘अथ/एव’ इति (particle; textual variant)

• कराङ्गुली: the finger of the hand
• कराङ्गुली: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर + अङ्गुली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; ‘करस्य अङ्गुली’ (Feminine, Nominative, Singular)

• जानुपृष्ठे: on the back of the knee
• जानुपृष्ठे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु + पृष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘जानुनः पृष्ठे’ (Neuter, Locative, Singular)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: likewise/so)

• नेत्रे: the two eyes
• नेत्रे: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), द्विवचन (Neuter, Nominative, Dual)

• जानुमध्ये: in the middle of the knee
• जानुमध्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु + मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘जानुनः मध्ये’ (Neuter, Locative, Singular)

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

• नासिका: the nose
• नासिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नासिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन (Feminine, Nominative, Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Careful observation of embodiment reveals the constructed, conditioned nature of the body.

Vedantic Theme: Deha as upādhi (limiting adjunct); the seer is distinct from the seen body-configuration.

Application: Use body-contemplation (deha-vicāra) to reduce pride and increase empathy; encourage mindful prenatal health awareness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: intrauterine space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.58-62 (continuous fetal posture and nourishment sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of posture and gaze control in the Garuda Purana?

This verse gives precise bodily placements and gaze alignment, indicating that disciplined posture (āsana-like stability) is used to steady attention and restrain the senses—an inner aid to spiritual clarity taught within the Preta Kanda’s broader guidance.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey described in the Garuda Purana?

The Preta Kanda emphasizes preparation—ritual and inner discipline—for facing death, judgment, and subtle experiences; such meditative control supports fearlessness and steadiness of mind, complementing teachings on after-death states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a stable seated posture with consistent hand placement and a gentle, fixed gaze point to reduce distraction; use it as a simple daily concentration practice alongside ethical living and traditional rites.