History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c92.264

v7.c92.264

The word nyāsa is derived from the root ‘as’ ‘to cast’ with ‘ni’ and literally means ‘placing or depositing in or on.’. The Kulārṇava explains it as follows :¹⁸³⁴ ‘nyāsa is so called because therein riches that are acquired in a righteous way are deposited or placed with persons whereby all-round protection is got’ (so by the ritual touching of the chest and other limbs with the tips of the fingers and the palm of the right hand accompanied by mantras the worshipper can act fearlessly in the midst of bad men and becomes like a god). Vide Jayākhyasaṃhitā quoted below.¹⁸³⁵