Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

शान्तिमुक्त्यर्थसिद्ध्यै च इडा योज्या नराधिपैः / द्वाभ्यां चैव प्रवाहे च क्रूरसौम्यविवर्जने

Transliteration

śāntimuktyarthasiddhyai ca iḍā yojyā narādhipaiḥ / dvābhyāṃ caiva pravāhe ca krūrasaumyavivarjane

Translation

शान्तिमुक्त्यर्थसिद्ध्यै च इडां नराधिपैः प्रयोजयेत्; द्वाभ्यां च प्रवाहकर्मणि, क्रूरसौम्यविवर्जने।

Word by Word

• शान्तिमुक्त्यर्थसिद्ध्यै: for the attainment of peace and liberation
• शान्तिमुक्त्यर्थसिद्ध्यै: Sampradana (Dative/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शान्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदानार्थ (dative of purpose); समासः (अर्थ-तत्पुरुषः) ‘शान्ति-मुक्ति-अर्थ-सिद्धि’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• इडा: Iḍā (the iḍā nāḍī)
• इडा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इडा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृ/विषय (as topic)

• योज्या: should be applied/used
• योज्या: Karma/Predicate (Object-complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) → योज्य (कृदन्त, भाव्य/विधेय)
• Form: कृदन्तः—योज्य (gerundive/potential passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (to be applied/used)

• नराधिपैः: by kings/rulers
• नराधिपैः: Karana/Agent (Instrumental/कर्ता-करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक) + अधिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण/कर्तृ-हेतुः (agent/instrument in passive)

• द्वाभ्याम्: with two (channels)/by both
• द्वाभ्याम्: Karana (Instrumental/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विवचन-रूपम्, तृतीया (3rd) द्विवचन; संख्याविशेषण (with two)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात

• प्रवाहे: in flow/streaming (movement)
• प्रवाहे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रवाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• क्रूरसौम्यविवर्जने: in the avoidance of harshness and gentleness
• क्रूरसौम्यविवर्जने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रूर (प्रातिपदिक) + सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण; समासः (द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपद + तत्पुरुष) ‘क्रूर-सौम्य’ (harsh & gentle) + ‘विवर्जन’ (avoidance)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śānti and artha-siddhi aligned with liberation are supported by regulated practice (iḍā) and avoidance of extremes.

Vedantic Theme: Madhyamā-pratipad (avoidance of extremes) as a preparatory discipline for inner clarity conducive to mokṣa.

Application: Cultivate calm and steady breath; choose moderation in policy and personal conduct; apply ‘twofold offering/measure’ as a principle of balanced inputs and outputs in decisions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.67.15, 1.67.17-19 (context of nāḍī efficacy; vāmā/dakṣiṇā outcomes)

FAQs

What is the importance of the iḍā rite in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links iḍā with śānti (appeasement/peace) and mukti-aimed success, presenting it as a disciplined ritual tool—especially for rulers—when performed in a balanced, non-extreme manner.

How does this verse explain the path toward liberation (mukti)?

It frames liberation-oriented progress as supported by right ritual conduct: peace-making rites, correctly structured offerings, and avoidance of extremes (neither overly harsh nor overly indulgent), aligning action (karma) with dharmic restraint.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice spiritual discipline with moderation: perform prayers/offerings with steadiness and ethical intent, avoiding extremes of severity or laxity—aiming for inner peace and long-term spiritual clarity.