Shloka 26

Devanagari script

वामेन वामिका प्रोक्ता दक्षिणे दक्षिणा शुभा / वामे वामा शुभे चैव दक्षिणे दक्षिणा शुभा

Transliteration

vāmena vāmikā proktā dakṣiṇe dakṣiṇā śubhā / vāme vāmā śubhe caiva dakṣiṇe dakṣiṇā śubhā

Translation

ഇടത്തുവശത്ത് സ്പന്ദനം ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ അതിനെ ‘വാമികാ’ എന്നു പറയുന്നു; വലത്തുവശത്ത് ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ അത് ശുഭമായ ‘ദക്ഷിണാ’. അതുപോലെ ഇടത്തുവശത്ത് ‘വാമാ’യും ശുഭം; വലത്തുവശത്ത് ‘ദക്ഷിണാ’ ശുഭം തന്നെ.

Word by Word

• वामेन: by the left (side)
• वामेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — instrumental ‘by/with the left (side)’

• वामिका: vāmikā
• वामिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — subject

• प्रोक्ता: is called/said
• प्रोक्ता: Kriya (Predicative/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+वच् (धातु) → प्रोक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — passive participle ‘is said/called’

• दक्षिणे: on the right
• दक्षिणे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन — locative ‘on the right (side)’

• दक्षिणा: dakṣiṇā (right-side sign)
• दक्षिणा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — subject

• शुभा: auspicious
• शुभा: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — adjective

• वामे: on the left
• वामे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन — locative ‘on the left’

• वामा: the left-side (sign)
• वामा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — subject ‘left-side (sign)’

• शुभे: in auspiciousness
• शुभे: Adhikarana (Condition/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन — locative ‘in/at auspicious (condition)’ (adverbial locative)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चयबोधक) — conjunction ‘and’

• एव: indeed
• एव: Kriya-visheshana (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (निश्चय/अवधारण) — emphatic particle ‘indeed/just’

• दक्षिणे: on the right
• दक्षिणे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन — locative ‘on the right’

• दक्षिणा: the right-side (sign)
• दक्षिणा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — subject

• शुभा: auspicious
• शुभा: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — adjective

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śakuna-vyavasthā: naming and valuing left/right bodily omens (vāmikā/dakṣiṇā; vāmā/dakṣiṇā) as auspicious indicators.

Vedantic Theme: Empirical signs (nimitta) are read within the field of prakṛti; the wise act with alertness while remaining inwardly steady.

Application: When a twitch/omen manifests, note laterality; treat left-associated sign as vāmikā/vāmā and right-associated sign as dakṣiṇā—both framed here as auspicious depending on context of the omen system being used.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.67.25 (wind and directional omen rule); Garuda Purana 1.67.27-29 (life-force, nāḍī, and decision outcomes)

FAQs

What is the importance of omens (nimitta) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bodily signs as meaningful indicators, classifying left/right occurrences with specific names and associating them with auspiciousness, supporting dharmic awareness in daily conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing discernment through signs (nimitta), it reflects the Purana’s broader concern with right action and preparedness—key themes that later connect to afterlife outcomes and karmic consequences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to pause, observe, and act thoughtfully—treating signs as prompts for self-checking, prayer, and ethical decision-making rather than superstition-driven fear.