Shloka 27

Cikitsā-sāra: Doṣa Nidāna–Lakṣaṇa, Agni, Ajīrṇa/Āma Cikitsā, Daśamūla, and Prognostic Signs

Devanagari script

कफपित्तानिलाः प्रायो यथाक्रममुदीरिताः / क्षाराग्निशस्त्ररहिता क्षीणे प्रवयसि क्रियाः

Transliteration

kaphapittānilāḥ prāyo yathākramamudīritāḥ / kṣārāgniśastrarahitā kṣīṇe pravayasi kriyāḥ

Translation

Im Allgemeinen heißt es, dass Kapha, Pitta und Vāta (Wind) der Reihe nach in den Lebensabschnitten vorherrschen. Wenn im Alter die Kräfte schwinden, sollen Behandlungen Alkalien, Feuerkauterisation und chirurgische Instrumente meiden.

Word by Word

• kapha-pitta-anilāḥ: phlegm, bile, and wind (doṣas)
• kapha-pitta-anilāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapha (प्रातिपदिक) + pitta (प्रातिपदिक) + anila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः

• prāyaḥ: generally
• prāyaḥ: Avyaya (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-प्रयोगः ‘generally/mostly’

• yathā-kramam: in order/ क्रमशः
• yathā-kramam: Avyaya (manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः ‘in due order’

• udīritāḥ: have been described
• udīritāḥ: Kriya (Predicate; passive participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-√īr (ईर्) (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मणि-भावः ‘have been stated’

• kṣāra-agni-śastra-rahitāḥ: devoid of alkali, fire, and surgical instruments
• kṣāra-agni-śastra-rahitāḥ: Visheshana (of kriyāḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣāra (प्रातिपदिक) + agni (प्रातिपदिक) + śastra (प्रातिपदिक) + rahita (कृदन्त, √hā/हा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; rahitāḥ = भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘devoid of’; समासः ‘kṣāra-agni-śastra’ इति तत्पुरुष-पूर्वपदसमूहः

• kṣīṇe: when (strength) is diminished
• kṣīṇe: Adhikarana (locative condition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣīṇa (कृदन्त, √kṣi/क्षि)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘when diminished’

• pravayasi: in old age
• pravayasi: Adhikarana (locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pravayas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• kriyāḥ: procedures/actions (treatments)
• kriyāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right action includes non-harm and appropriateness: therapies must match life-stage and strength.

Vedantic Theme: Ahimsa and yukti (skillful means) in dealing with the perishable body; compassion as sattvic discipline.

Application: In old age, prefer gentle measures; avoid harsh interventions (alkali, cautery, surgery) unless unavoidable and carefully judged.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.168.26–30 (age, body types, strength, equilibrium)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Vata (Anila)
• Pitta
• Kapha

FAQs

What does the Garuda Purana say about kapha, pitta, and vāta across life stages?

It states that these doṣas tend to dominate in a sequential pattern across the stages of life, influencing appropriate regimen and treatment.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address after-death travel or Yama’s realm; it gives embodied-life medical guidance, especially cautioning against harsh procedures in old age.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

For elders, prefer gentler interventions and avoid overly aggressive or invasive measures unless clearly necessary and well-supported.