Brāhma-tīrtha
Brāhma Tīrtha, “the tīrtha of Brahmā on the hand”
Grammar: neuter noun phrase; brāhma (belonging to Brahmā) and tīrtha (a sacred crossing, here a sacred part of the hand): “the tīrtha of Brahmā”.
Meaning: the line on the north side of the right thumb, the part of the hand through which water is sipped in ācamana.
In the scriptures: in his teaching on sadācāra, right conduct, Vyāsa tells the munis of the tīrthas of the hand, each kept for its own rite:
- Brāhma tīrtha: the line on the north side of the right thumb (aṅgushṭha). This is the tīrtha for ācamana.
- Pitṛ tīrtha: the part between the index finger and the thumb. Tarpaṇa and the other rites for the pitṛs are done through it, in every rite except the nāndīmukha.
- Daiva tīrtha: the tips of the fingers. Tarpaṇa and the other rites for the devas are done through it.
- Prajāpati tīrtha: the root of the little finger. The rites to Prajāpati are done there.
Vyāsa sums it up: ācamana is best done at the brāhma tīrtha; the rites to the pitṛs at the pitṛ tīrtha; the rites to the devas at the daiva tīrtha; and for Prajāpati, and the piṇḍa, tarpaṇa and other offerings to the nāndīmukha devatās, at the prājāpatya tīrtha. In the same teaching he says that only after ācamana should one perform the rites to the devas, to Agni and to the pitṛs, salute the guru, or eat; the water must be without froth and without smell, sipped without noise, facing east or north.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 221
Related terms: Ācamana · Pitṛ tīrtha · Daiva tīrtha · Prājāpatya tīrtha · Tarpaṇa · Sadācāra
Other meanings
Brāhma-tīrtha has more than one meaning in the Purāṇas and Itihāsas. Besides the meaning above, it names those listed here, each with where it is told.
- Brāhma Tīrtha (Hariścandra’s Yajña): one of the fifteen tīrthas on the southern bank of the Gautamī that arose where King Hariścandra completed his yajña to Varuṇa and the boy Śunaḥśepa was freed. Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 34
See also
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 221