Shloka 117
Brahmin Right Conduct: Morning Remembrance, Bathing, Purification, and Tarpaṇa Method
अंगुष्ठदेशिनीभ्यां च नासां च तदनंतरम् । अंगुष्ठानामिकाभ्यां च चक्षुषी समुपस्पृशेत्
aṃguṣṭhadeśinībhyāṃ ca nāsāṃ ca tadanaṃtaram | aṃguṣṭhānāmikābhyāṃ ca cakṣuṣī samupaspṛśet
Dann soll man mit Daumen und Zeigefinger die Nasenlöcher berühren; unmittelbar danach mit Daumen und Ringfinger sanft beide Augen berühren.
Unspecified (instructional passage; speaker not explicit in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Purification extends from mouth to the gateways of perception; disciplined touch sanctifies the senses before sacred activity.
Application: Before prayer or study, briefly ‘reset’ the senses: wash, breathe calmly, reduce sensory agitation (screens/noise), and approach worship with clear perception.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene devotee completes ācamana and then, with delicate precision, touches the nostrils with thumb and index finger, followed by a gentle touch to both eyes with thumb and ring finger. The scene conveys the sanctification of breath and sight—preparing the body to become a vessel for darśana and mantra.","primary_figures":["a Vaishnava devotee"],"setting":"quiet temple mandapa corner with a small lamp and copper water vessel; background softly blurred to emphasize the gesture","lighting_mood":"soft twilight lamp-glow","color_palette":["smoky gold","deep umber","copper-red","midnight blue","cream"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotee performing aṅga-sparśa—touching nostrils then eyes with prescribed fingers; gold leaf accents on lamp and vessel, rich red-brown interior, ornate arch motif behind, traditional South Indian stylization with precise hand gestures and jewel-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined portrait-like scene of a devotee in calm concentration, fingers poised at nostrils and eyes; delicate shading, cool blues and creams, minimal interior with a small lamp, lyrical stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic, bold-outlined figure with expressive eyes; gesture sequence emphasized with clear finger positions; warm pigment fields, temple-wall symmetry, stylized lamp and vessel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional figure framed by lotus vines and conch-disc motifs; emphasis on eyes (darśana) with ornate detailing; deep blue ground, gold highlights, floral borders and peacock-feather patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["lamp bell (tiny)","soft mantra undertone","still air","distant temple gong","gentle cloth rustle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अंगुष्ठदेशिनीभ्यां = अङ्गुष्ठदेशिनीभ्याम् (अनुस्वार/निग्रह-लिप्यन्तरभेद); तदनंतरम् = तत् + अनन्तरम्; अंगुष्ठानामिकाभ्यां = अङ्गुष्ठानामिकाभ्याम्.
FAQs
It gives a bodily purification sequence: touching the nostrils with thumb and index finger, then touching both eyes with thumb and ring finger, as part of a prescribed rite.
Purāṇic and smārta ritual manuals often prescribe specific finger combinations for particular touches during purification (ācāmana/nyāsa-like steps), emphasizing precision and discipline in practice.
The verse underscores mindfulness and careful observance: spiritual life is supported by attentiveness, cleanliness, and disciplined execution of one’s duties and rites.