Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

संमृज्याङ्गुष्ठमूलेन त्रिभिरास्यमुपस्पृशेत् / अङ्गुष्ठेन प्रदेशिन्या घ्राणं पश्चादनन्तरम्

Transliteration

saṃmṛjyāṅguṣṭhamūlena tribhirāsyamupaspṛśet / aṅguṣṭhena pradeśinyā ghrāṇaṃ paścādanantaram

Translation

हाथ को पोंछकर अंगूठे के मूल सहित तीन उँगलियों से मुख का स्पर्श करे। तत्पश्चात बिना विलम्ब अंगूठे और तर्जनी से नासिका का स्पर्श करे।

Word by Word

• संमृज्य: having wiped/cleaned
• संमृज्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + मृज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund/absolutive); ‘having wiped’

• अङ्गुष्ठमूलेन: with the base of the thumb
• अङ्गुष्ठमूलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular; तत्पुरुष-समास (अङ्गुष्ठस्य मूलम्)

• त्रिभिः: with three (fingers)
• त्रिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंस, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; instrumental plural; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• आस्यम्: mouth/face
• आस्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular

• उपस्पृशेत्: should touch
• उपस्पृशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; optative, 3rd person singular; परस्मैपद

• अङ्गुष्ठेन: with the thumb
• अङ्गुष्ठेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular

• प्रदेशिन्या: with the index finger
• प्रदेशिन्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रदेशिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental singular; ‘index finger’

• घ्राणम्: nose
• घ्राणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घ्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; accusative singular

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: Sambandha (Sequential/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/कालवाचक (adverb: afterwards)

• अनन्तरम्: immediately next
• अनन्तरम्: Sambandha (Sequential/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (adverb: immediately/next)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: After wiping, touch the mouth with the base of the thumb along with three fingers; then touch the nostrils with thumb and forefinger without delay.

Vedantic Theme: Body as an instrument (karaṇa) to be disciplined; ritual exactness supports mental one-pointedness (ekāgratā).

Application: Use deliberate, consistent gestures in daily spiritual routines to train attention and reduce ritual negligence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.38 (ācāmana); Garuda Purana 1.213.40-41 (touching eyes/ears/navel/heart; Vedic recitation)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of this purification step in the Garuda Purana?

It prescribes a precise method of ritual cleanliness—touching mouth and nostrils in sequence—so that subsequent rites (including śrāddha-related observances) are performed in a state of purity (śauca).

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana death rituals and śrāddha practices?

Garuda Purana’s ritual sections emphasize correct preparatory actions; such purification steps support the sanctity and efficacy of rites offered for ancestors and the departed, where procedural purity is treated as essential.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before prayer, japa, or ancestor offerings, follow a simple, mindful cleansing routine—clean hands, then touch mouth and nostrils as instructed—to cultivate attentiveness and ritual discipline.