Shloka 33

Navavyūha-pūjāvidhi: Bhūta-śuddhi, Nyāsa, Yogapīṭha, Maṇḍala-racanā, Mudrā-prayoga

Devanagari script

मुष्टिद्वयमथोत्तानमृज्वैकैकेन मोचयेत् / उत्कुञ्चयेत्सर्वमुक्ता अङ्गमुद्रेयमुच्यते

Transliteration

muṣṭidvayamathottānamṛjvaikaikena mocayet / utkuñcayetsarvamuktā aṅgamudreyamucyate

Translation

Then, from both clenched fists, with the palms facing upward, one should release the fingers one by one, keeping them straight; when fully opened and slightly drawn inward, this is called the “Aṅga-mudrā,” the gesture of the limbs.

Word by Word

• मुष्टि-द्वयम्: both fists
• मुष्टि-द्वयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुष्टि + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—द्विगु (द्वे मुष्ट्यौ)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक निपात

• उत्तानम्: palm-up/extended
• उत्तानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (मुष्टिद्वयम् इत्यस्य)

• ऋजु: straight
• ऋजु: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ऋजु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोगः; अर्थः ‘सरलतया/सीधम्’

• एक-एकेन: one by one
• एक-एकेन: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एक + एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; तृतीया-एकवचन-रूपेण अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः; अर्थः ‘एकैकशः’

• मोचयेत्: should release/loosen
• मोचयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मोचय् (णिजन्त) < मुच् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; धातुः—मुच् (मोचने) णिजन्त ‘मोचयति’

• उत्कुञ्चयेत्: should bend upward/contract
• उत्कुञ्चयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत् + कुञ्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; धातुः—कुञ्च् (कुञ्चने) उपसर्गः उत्-

• सर्व-मुक्ता: fully released
• सर्व-मुक्ता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + मुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सर्वं मुक्तं यस्याः/या) ‘सर्वमुक्ता’ = ‘fully released’ (मुद्रा इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• अङ्ग-मुद्रा: the Aṅga-mudrā
• अङ्ग-मुद्रा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्ग + मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अङ्गस्य मुद्रा)

• इयम्: this
• इयम्: Apposition (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• उच्यते: is said/is called
• उच्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive sense); धातुः—वच् (वचने)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, within the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kriyā as mindfulness: sequential release cultivates attention to parts (aṅga) and integrates body with intention.

Vedantic Theme: Ekāgratā (one-pointedness) and sādhana-catuṣṭaya support (discipline, steadiness) as preparatory to deeper contemplation.

Application: Release fingers one-by-one with awareness; keep palms up and fingers straight, then gently draw inward to stabilize the gesture—use as a reset between mantra segments.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/inner-space (aṅga-nyāsa implication)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.11 (aṅga-mudrā within mudrā-vidhi)

FAQs

What is the importance of Aṅga-mudrā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines the correct physical formation of the aṅga-mudrā, indicating that precise bodily gestures are considered part of proper ritual discipline (ācāra) and correct performance of rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This specific verse is procedural rather than eschatological: it teaches a ritual mudrā (gesture) used within religious practice, supporting purity and correctness that the Garuda Purana links with dharma and beneficial outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It highlights mindful, step-by-step discipline: perform any spiritual practice with attention to detail, bodily steadiness, and intentionality rather than haste or carelessness.