Shloka 40

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

अङ्गुष्ठानामिकाभ्यां च चक्षुः श्रोत्रे पुनः पुनः / कनिष्ठाङ्गष्ठयोर्नाभिं हृदयं तु तलेन वै

Transliteration

aṅguṣṭhānāmikābhyāṃ ca cakṣuḥ śrotre punaḥ punaḥ / kaniṣṭhāṅgaṣṭhayornābhiṃ hṛdayaṃ tu talena vai

Translation

With the thumb and ring-finger, one should repeatedly touch (purify) the eyes and the ears; with the little finger and the thumb, the navel; and with the palm indeed, the heart-region.

Word by Word

• अङ्गुष्ठानामिकाभ्याम्: with the thumb and ring finger
• अङ्गुष्ठानामिकाभ्याम्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ + अनामिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्री/पुं (समाहार), तृतीया (3), द्विवचन; instrumental dual; द्वन्द्व-समास (अङ्गुष्ठः च अनामिका च)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction: and)

• चक्षुः: eye
• चक्षुः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular

• श्रोत्रे: (both) ears
• श्रोत्रे: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), द्विवचन; accusative dual

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरावृत्तिवाचक (adverb: again)

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरावृत्तिवाचक (adverb: again)

• कनिष्ठाङ्गुष्ठयोः: of the little finger and the thumb
• कनिष्ठाङ्गुष्ठयोः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनिष्ठा + अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्री/पुं (समाहार), षष्ठी (6), द्विवचन; genitive dual; द्वन्द्व-समास (कनिष्ठा च अङ्गुष्ठः च)

• नाभिम्: navel
• नाभिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular

• हृदयम्: heart
• हृदयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular

• तु: and/but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधार्थक-निपात

• तलेन: with the palm
• तलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular; ‘with the palm’

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक-निपात (emphatic particle: indeed)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Touch eyes and ears with thumb and ring-finger; touch navel with little finger and thumb; touch heart-region with the palm—repeatedly as prescribed.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-śuddhi and antaḥkaraṇa-prasāda: purifying perception and emotion to support sattva and steadiness.

Application: Before prayer/meditation, briefly ‘check in’ with senses and heart—reduce sensory agitation, cultivate attentive listening and compassionate intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.41 (touch head/arms; recite Ṛk-Yajus-Sāman)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of ritual touching (anga-shuddhi) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lays out a specific purification gesture sequence—touching sense-organs and vital centers—used to steady the mind and prepare the performer for sacred rites, especially those connected with death rituals and śrāddha.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s teachings on death rites?

The Garuda Purana frequently frames ritual precision as supportive of dharma in transitional rites; here, the instruction functions as a preparatory bodily purification before performing offerings, recitations, or śrāddha-related actions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before prayer, japa, or ancestral rites, one can adopt a brief, mindful purification: gently touch eyes/ears, then navel and heart, cultivating restraint of the senses and inward focus.