Shloka 26

Vidradhi–Gulma Nidāna

Causes and Signs of Abscess and Abdominal Mass

Devanagari script

कृष्णः स्फोटावृतः पिण्डों वृद्धिलिङ्गश्च रक्ततः / कफवन्मेदसां वृद्धिर्मृदुतालफलोपमः

Transliteration

kṛṣṇaḥ sphoṭāvṛtaḥ piṇḍoṃ vṛddhiliṅgaśca raktataḥ / kaphavanmedasāṃ vṛddhirmṛdutālaphalopamaḥ

Translation

Ein schwärzlicher Knoten, von Bläschen bedeckt, ist ein Zeichen der Zunahme, die aus dem Blut entsteht. Ebenso ist die Vermehrung des Fettes von kaphaartiger Natur, weich und dem Fruchtkörper der Palme vergleichbar.

Word by Word

• कृष्णः: black/dark
• कृष्णः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः

• स्फोट-आवृतः: covered with blisters
• स्फोट-आवृतः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फोट (प्रातिपदिक) + आवृत (कृदन्त; √वृ (धातु) उपसर्ग-आ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), ‘आवृतः’ = covered; तत्पुरुषः (स्फोटेन आवृतः)

• पिण्डः: a lump/mass
• पिण्डः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वृद्धि-लिङ्गः: a sign of swelling/increase
• वृद्धि-लिङ्गः: Samānādhikaraṇa (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (वृद्धेः लिङ्गम्/वृद्धिं सूचयति)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• रक्ततः: from/owing to blood
• रक्ततः: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित/अव्ययीभावार्थ)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) = ‘from/owing to blood’

• कफवत्: phlegm-like
• कफवत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कफ (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-रूपेण विशेषण; ‘वत्’ तद्धितान्त = ‘like/possessing phlegm’; प्रथमा, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग (सम्बद्धं ‘वृद्धिः’ इत्यर्थे)

• मेदसाम्: of fats/adipose tissues
• मेदसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेदस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• वृद्धिः: increase/swelling
• वृद्धिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मृदु-ताल-फल-उपमः: like a soft palm fruit
• मृदु-ताल-फल-उपमः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृदु (प्रातिपदिक) + ताल (प्रातिपदिक) + फल (प्रातिपदिक) + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मृदुतालफलस्य उपमः = comparable to a soft palm-fruit)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Care of the body through correct recognition of pathological signs; bodily stewardship as a duty.

Vedantic Theme: Sharira as upadhi (instrument) requiring maintenance for dharma and sadhana; discernment (viveka) applied to embodied life.

Application: Observe abnormal swellings/lesions and seek timely treatment; avoid habits that increase kapha/medas; maintain diet and routine that prevent pathological growths.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.160 (Ayurveda/roga-lakshana section); Garuda Purana 1.159–1.161 (contextual disease descriptions)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of describing bodily signs like blood- and fat-related swellings in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a diagnostic-style marker: it links observable features (dark color, blisters, softness) with underlying causes (blood and fat/kapha), helping identify the nature of an increase (vṛddhi) described in the text.

How does this verse connect to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on the soul’s journey after death?

In the Preta Kanda, physical conditions and signs are often presented alongside ethical and ritual guidance; recognizing bodily states supports timely rites, disciplined living, and preparedness for post-death transitions discussed elsewhere in the dialogue.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the verse as a reminder to observe the body carefully and respond early—seek appropriate medical care for unusual dark swellings, blistering, or soft fatty enlargements, and maintain balanced habits that reduce kapha-like excess.