Prajāpati-tīrtha
Prajāpati-tīrtha · prajāpati-tīrtha, “the tīrtha of Prajāpati on the hand”
Brāhma-tīrtha has other meanings too: see all meanings of Brāhma-tīrtha. Pitṛ-tīrtha has other meanings too: see all meanings of Pitṛ-tīrtha.
Grammar: neuter noun; a compound of prajāpati (the ruler of beings, Brahmā as creator) and tīrtha (a sacred crossing, here a sacred part of the hand): “the tīrtha of Prajāpati”. It is also called the prājāpatya tīrtha.
Meaning: the root of the little finger of the right hand, through which offerings to Prajāpati and to the nāndīmukha devatās are given.
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, the tīrtha for ācamana.
- Pitṛ tīrtha: the part between the index finger and the thumb, for tarpaṇa and the other rites for the pitṛs, in every rite except the nāndīmukha.
- Daiva tīrtha: the tips of the fingers, for tarpaṇa and the other rites to the devas.
- Prajāpati tīrtha: the root of the little finger. The rites to Prajāpati are done there.
Vyāsa sums it up: ācamana is best at the brāhma tīrtha, the rites to the pitṛs at the pitṛ tīrtha, the rites to the devas at the deva tīrtha, and for Prajāpati, and the piṇḍa, tarpaṇa and other offerings to the nāndīmukha devatās (as to Prajāpati), at the prājāpatya tīrtha, the root of the little finger (Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 221).
Related terms: Brāhma tīrtha · Pitṛ tīrtha · Daiva tīrtha · Prajāpati · Nāndīmukha · Tarpaṇa
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 221