Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

प्रशस्ता दक्षिणा नाडी प्रवेशे क्षुद्रकर्मणि / शुभाशुभानि कार्याणि लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ

Transliteration

praśastā dakṣiṇā nāḍī praveśe kṣudrakarmaṇi / śubhāśubhāni kāryāṇi lābhālābhau jayājayau

Translation

புறப்படும் வேளையில் தக்ஷிண (வலது) நாடி இயங்கினால் சிறிய செயலும் சிறப்பாகும்; அப்போது செயல்கள் நன்மை அல்லது தீமை நோக்கி மாறி—லாபம் அல்லது இழப்பு, வெற்றி அல்லது தோல்வி எனப் பலன் தரும்।

Word by Word

• प्रशस्ता: excellent/praised
• प्रशस्ता: Karta/Predicate (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• दक्षिणा: right (southern)
• दक्षिणा: Karta/Predicate (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (right)

• नाडी: nāḍī/channel
• नाडी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाडी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्ता/विषय

• प्रवेशे: in entering/entry
• प्रवेशे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रवेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• क्षुद्रकर्मणि: in petty actions
• क्षुद्रकर्मणि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण; कर्मधारयसमास (petty act)

• शुभाशुभानि: auspicious and inauspicious
• शुभाशुभानि: Karma/Predicate (Object set)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + अशुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास; विशेषण (auspicious and inauspicious)

• कार्याणि: actions/undertakings
• कार्याणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; (contextually objects/topics)

• लाभालाभौ: gain and loss
• लाभालाभौ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लाभ (प्रातिपदिक) + अलाभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास

• जयाजयौ: victory and defeat
• जयाजयौ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक) + अजय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Small conditions at the start of action influence karmic outcomes; right-channel activation at departure tends toward auspiciousness even in minor tasks.

Vedantic Theme: Causality in the empirical realm (vyavahāra): attention to subtle causes while remaining unattached to results.

Application: Before starting tasks, pause and check readiness (breath, mind, environment); if signs are unfavorable, delay or adjust; treat beginnings as decisive.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.67.15-18 (left/right channels; domains of application; moderation and discernment)

FAQs

What is the importance of nāḍī activity in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats nāḍī-flow as an omen: the right nāḍī at the start of an action is described as favorable and linked with successful outcomes.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it gives a living-world indicator (nāḍī-omen) showing how subtle conditions can influence results of actions (karma) as gain/loss and victory/defeat.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before beginning an important task, cultivate steadiness and clarity; treat “auspiciousness” as a cue to act with discipline and right intention, avoiding impulsive or harmful choices.