Shloka 14

Kuṣṭha-bheda-lakṣaṇa-nidāna and Śvitra (Kilāsa) Prognosis

Devanagari script

विस्तृताकृतिपर्यस्तन्दूषितैर्लोमभिश्चितम् / कापालं तोदबहुलं तत्कुष्ठं विषमं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

vistṛtākṛtiparyastandūṣitairlomabhiścitam / kāpālaṃ todabahulaṃ tatkuṣṭhaṃ viṣamaṃ smṛtam

Translation

Dieser Aussatz gilt als „unregelmäßig“ (viṣama), wenn die Gestalt sich ausbreitet und entstellt, von verunreinigten Haaren bedeckt ist, schädelartig erscheint und von zahlreichen stechenden Schmerzen erfüllt wird.

Word by Word

• विस्तृत: expanded, spread out
• विस्तृत: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि- + स्तृत (कृदन्त; √स्तृ (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound; expanded/spread)

• आकृति: shape, form
• आकृति: Visheshya (Qualified noun/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound; form/shape)

• पर्यस्त: scattered, displaced
• पर्यस्त: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि- + अस्त (कृदन्त; √अस्/√स्था? (धातु) + क्त; अर्थे: thrown/overturned)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound; scattered/overturned)

• दूषितैः: by contaminated/defiled
• दूषितैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दूषित (कृदन्त; √दूष् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक; तृतीया बहुवचन (instrumental plural)

• लोमभिः: with hairs
• लोमभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया बहुवचन

• चितम्: filled, covered
• चितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित (कृदन्त; √चि (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (filled/covered)

• कापालम्: skull-like; pertaining to skull
• कापालम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कापाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• तोद: pricking pain
• तोद: Visheshya (Qualified noun/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound)

• बहुलम्: abundant, frequent
• बहुलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (abundant)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (Determiner/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (demonstrative)

• कुष्ठम्: leprosy/skin disease
• कुष्ठम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन

• विषमम्: irregular, uneven
• विषमम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (agreeing with कुष्ठम्)

• स्मृतम्: is considered/said
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृत (कृदन्त; √स्मृ (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; विधेय (is said/considered)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Naming and classifying (saṃjñā) disease patterns enables appropriate response; ‘viṣama’ indicates instability and unpredictability requiring heightened care.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka through precise observation; recognition of guṇa-vaicitrya (variegated manifestations) in prakṛti.

Application: When lesions spread, distort form, alter hair, and cause intense pricking pain, treat as severe/irregular type and escalate care and avoidance of aggravating factors.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.164.13 (foremost signs); Garuda Purana 1.164.15 (audumbara type)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is meant by ‘viṣama kuṣṭha’ in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse, viṣama kuṣṭha is characterized by uneven, distorted spreading of the disease with tainted hair growth and intense pricking pain.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It supports the Purana’s moral framework: the soul’s prior deeds can shape the quality of embodied experience, which later informs teachings on judgment and consequences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat suffering—one’s own and others’—as a call to compassion and responsibility; avoid stigma and respond with care, charity, and ethical self-correction.