Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

तासां मध्ये त्रयः श्रेष्ठा वामदक्षैणमध्यमाः / वामा सोमात्मिका प्रोक्ता दक्षिणा रविसन्निभा

Transliteration

tāsāṃ madhye trayaḥ śreṣṭhā vāmadakṣaiṇamadhyamāḥ / vāmā somātmikā proktā dakṣiṇā ravisannibhā

Translation

तासां मध्ये त्रयः श्रेष्ठा वामदक्षैणमध्यमाः। वामा सोमात्मिका प्रोक्ता दक्षिणा रविसन्निभा॥

Word by Word

• तासाम्: of those (nāḍīs)
• तासाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (genitive plural)

• मध्ये: in the midst
• मध्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक (numeral)

• श्रेष्ठाः: best
• श्रेष्ठाः: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (superlative sense)

• वामदक्षैणमध्यमाः: left, right, and middle (ones)
• वामदक्षैणमध्यमाः: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक) + dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + madhyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (vāma+dakṣiṇa+madhyama: left, right, and middle)

• वामा: the left (nāḍī)
• वामा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• सोमात्मिका: of lunar nature
• सोमात्मिका: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: soma (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (having the nature of Soma/moon)

• प्रोक्ता: is declared
• प्रोक्ता: Kriya (Predication/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + √vac (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मणि-भावः (is declared)

• दक्षिणा: the right (nāḍī)
• दक्षिणा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• रविसन्निभा: sun-like
• रविसन्निभा: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ravi (प्रातिपदिक) + sannibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (similar to the Sun)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Mixed

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Among many channels, three are principal; left is Soma-like (cooling), right is Ravi-like (heating), implying functional polarity and balance.

Vedantic Theme: Harmony of opposing forces within prakṛti; preparation for inner steadiness that supports higher pursuit (sādhana).

Application: Observe left/right dominance to choose calming vs energizing practices; aim for balance and eventual centralization (madhyamā) in meditative discipline.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: subtle bodily pathways

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.67.5-6 (right nāḍī and śubha/aśubha discernment via svara); Garuda Purana 1.67.7-8 (nāḍī network and navel hub)

Characters & Entities

• Soma
• Ravi (Sūrya)

FAQs

What is the importance of the left, right, and central channels in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights a threefold hierarchy—left, right, and middle—as primary pathways, framing spiritual physiology through lunar (Soma) and solar (Ravi) qualities.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By linking the left and right paths to Moon-like and Sun-like forces, the verse situates the soul’s movement and inner functioning within cosmic principles that govern subtle experience and spiritual progression.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the teaching as a reminder to balance cooling, calm lunar tendencies with energizing, disciplined solar tendencies—supporting steadiness in dharma, worship, and self-control.