Shloka 20

Prameha-Nidāna-Lakṣaṇa-Bheda: Etiology, Signs, Varieties, and Complications of Meha

Devanagari script

मूत्रवर्णादिभेदेन भेदो मेहेषु कल्प्यते / अच्छं बहुसितं शीतं निर्गन्धमुदकोपमम्

Transliteration

mūtravarṇādibhedena bhedo meheṣu kalpyate / acchaṃ bahusitaṃ śītaṃ nirgandhamudakopamam

Translation

Die Arten der Harnleiden (meha) werden nach Unterschieden wie Farbe und weiteren Merkmalen des Urins bestimmt. Bei einer Form ist der Urin klar, sehr weiß, kalt, geruchlos und dem Wasser gleich.

Word by Word

• mūtra-varṇa-ādi-bhedena: by the differentiation of urine-color etc.
• mūtra-varṇa-ādi-bhedena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūtra (प्रातिपदिक) + varṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + bheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण/हेतु-अर्थे — "by/through the differentiation such as urine-color etc."

• bhedaḥ: classification; division
• bhedaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• meheṣu: in the types of meha (urinary disorders)
• meheṣu: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: meha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन — अधिकरणे

• kalpyate: is arranged/considered
• kalpyate: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kḷp (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive)

• accham: clear
• accham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: accha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (to implied mūtram)

• bahu-sitam: very white
• bahu-sitam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक) + sita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śītam: cold
• śītam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• nir-gandham: odorless
• nir-gandham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण — "without smell"

• udaka-upamam: like water
• udaka-upamam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: udaka (प्रातिपदिक) + upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण — उपमान-सम्बन्धः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Lakshana (sign-based) classification of prameha by urine qualities (varna, gandha, sheeta/ushna, etc.).

Vedantic Theme: Sharira as kshetra (field) to be understood; right knowledge supports dharma and sadhana by maintaining the instrument (body).

Application: Use urine appearance/temperature/odor as diagnostic markers to distinguish meha subtypes and guide treatment and diet.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.159 (Prameha-lakshana section; surrounding verses on meha-bheda and nidana)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of urine characteristics in Garuda Purana’s description of meha?

This verse states that meha types are classified by observable urine features (color and related qualities), indicating a symptom-based diagnostic approach.

What specific urine signs are described in this verse?

It describes urine that is clear, very white, cold, odorless, and water-like—presented as a defining sign for a particular meha category.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages careful observation of bodily signs for early detection of illness and timely consultation with qualified medical practitioners, rather than ignoring persistent abnormalities.