Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

The Exposition of Nṛsiṁha Worship-Mantras, Nyāsa, Mudrās, Yantras, Kavaca, and Nṛsiṁha Gāyatrī

Devanagari script

अनामायां तु वामायां दक्षिणां तु विनिक्षिपेत् । तर्जन्यौ पृष्ठतो लग्नौ अङ्गुष्ठौ तर्जनीश्रितौ ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

anāmāyāṃ tu vāmāyāṃ dakṣiṇāṃ tu vinikṣipet | tarjanyau pṛṣṭhato lagnau aṅguṣṭhau tarjanīśritau || 42 ||

Translation

Sur l’annulaire de la main gauche, qu’on dépose la partie droite (main/doigt). Que les deux index s’attachent par l’arrière, et que les pouces reposent, soutenus contre les index.

Word by Word

• अनामायाम्: on the ring finger
• अनामायाम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनामा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन (loc. sg.); ‘on the ring finger’

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/विरोध (particle: but/indeed)

• वामायाम्: on the left (hand)
• वामायाम्: विशेषण-सम्बन्ध (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वामा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन; विशेषण (fem., loc. sg.)

• दक्षिणाम्: the right (one)
• दक्षिणाम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (acc. sg.); ‘right (finger/hand)’ (object)

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/विरोध (particle)

• विनिक्षिपेत्: should place
• विनिक्षिपेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-नि-क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (should place/put down)

• तर्जन्यौ: the two index fingers
• तर्जन्यौ: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तर्जनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन (nom. du.)

• पृष्ठतः: from behind/at the back
• पृष्ठतः: देशाधिकरण (Locative sense/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृष्ठतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक अव्यय (adverb: from behind/at the back)

• लग्नौ: attached/pressed
• लग्नौ: विशेषण-सम्बन्ध (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लग्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; विशेषण (fem., nom. du.), ‘attached’

• अङ्गुष्ठौ: the two thumbs
• अङ्गुष्ठौ: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन (nom. du.)

• तर्जनीश्रितौ: resting on the index fingers
• तर्जनीश्रितौ: विशेषण-सम्बन्ध (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तर्जनी + श्रित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तर्जनी-आश्रितः = resting on the index finger)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within a Vedanga/ritual-technical teaching section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It emphasizes precision in ritual practice: correct hand configuration (mudrā-like positioning) is presented as a supporting discipline for mantra/rite efficacy and mental steadiness in sacred acts.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

While the verse is technical rather than devotional, it supports Bhakti by prescribing disciplined bodily practice that helps a devotee perform worship and recitation with focus, reverence, and procedural correctness.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Practical ritual technique aligned with Vedanga-style training—especially Śikṣā (discipline of correct practice) as applied to worship/recitation through prescribed hand placement and gesture.