Shloka 24

Nirūpaṇa (Nāḍī–Svara-Nirūpaṇam): Breath Currents, Omens, and Action-Timing

Devanagari script

तदा मृत्युं विजानीयाद्योगी योगविशारदः / यत्रयत्र स्थितः पृच्छेद्वामदक्षिणसंमुखः

Transliteration

tadā mṛtyuṃ vijānīyādyogī yogaviśāradaḥ / yatrayatra sthitaḥ pṛcchedvāmadakṣiṇasaṃmukhaḥ

Translation

Then the yogin, well-versed in yoga, should recognize the approach of death. Wherever he may be, he should turn his attention to the left and the right, observing and inquiring into the signs.

Word by Word

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (then)

• मृत्युम्: death
• मृत्युम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत्यु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• विजानीयात्: should know/recognize
• विजानीयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• योगी: the yogin
• योगी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• योगविशारदः: skilled in yoga
• योगविशारदः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगविशारद (प्रातिपदिक; योग + विशारद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (योगे विशारदः)

• यत्रयत्र: wherever
• यत्रयत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्रयत्र (अव्यय; यत्र + यत्र)
• Form: पुनरुक्त-देशवाचक अव्यय (wherever)

• स्थितः: being situated
• स्थितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पृच्छेत्: should ask
• पृच्छेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• वामदक्षिणसंमुखः: facing left and right (i.e., oriented toward either side)
• वामदक्षिणसंमुखः: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वामदक्षिणसंमुख (प्रातिपदिक; वाम + दक्षिण + संमुख)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः द्वन्द्वः (वाम + दक्षिण) + तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-प्रायः (संमुखः)

Speaker

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

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A yoga-skilled yogin should discern the nearness of death through attentive inquiry/observation of left-right indicators; preparedness enables a conscious transition.

Vedantic Theme: Maraṇa-smṛti and pratyakṣa of subtle signs; using disciplined awareness to meet death with steadiness (possible doorway to liberation).

Application: Maintain contemplative awareness of impermanence; cultivate practices that allow calm recognition of decline and timely spiritual/ethical preparation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: portable-ritual/yogic-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: signs of impending death and guidance for the departing person; Garuda Purana: yogic preparedness and remembrance practices at the end

FAQs

What is the importance of recognizing death-signs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames death-awareness as a yogic skill: a disciplined practitioner should notice indications of impending death and thereby prepare the mind for a conscious, dharmic transition.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing timely recognition of death, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that one’s final awareness and preparedness influence the post-death journey and spiritual outcome.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steady self-observation and readiness—live ethically, practice regular meditation, and keep one’s duties and relationships in order so that the end of life is met with clarity rather than panic.