[Advaita-l] Advaita-l Digest, Vol 81, Issue 4

[Venkata sriram P]

Dear Chandrasekharji,
 
After the meals, at the end (ie., after completion of all rituals), achamana should be performed.  After the achamana, the right thumb should be placed at the middle of the heart.  This denotes the angushta pramana purusha in hridaya which is Jiva.  
 
By placing the thumb in the above manner, the below mantra is chanted towards the
expiation:
 
"prANAnAM granthirasi rudrO mA vishAntakaH ..........ApyAyasva".
 
Because the Jivatma was made to suffer the hunger, a prAyaschitta mantra should be
chanted.  
 
regs,
Sriram