Shloka 15

Devanagari script

तिक्तोषणकषायाम्लरूक्षाप्रमितयोजनैः / धावनोदीरणनिशाजागरात्युच्चभाषणैः

Transliteration

tiktoṣaṇakaṣāyāmlarūkṣāpramitayojanaiḥ / dhāvanodīraṇaniśājāgarātyuccabhāṣaṇaiḥ

Translation

By indulging in foods that are bitter, pungent and hot, astringent, sour, and excessively drying; by immoderate exertion and long journeys; and by habits such as restless running about, over-stimulating activity, keeping vigil at night, and speaking too loudly—one brings harm upon oneself.

Word by Word

• तिक्त: bitter
• तिक्त: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तिक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• उष्ण: hot
• उष्ण: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• कषाय: astringent
• कषाय: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कषाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• अम्ल: sour
• अम्ल: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अम्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• रूक्ष: dry/rough
• रूक्ष: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• अप्रमित: immoderate/unmeasured
• अप्रमित: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ+प्रमित (प्रातिपदिक; मि/मा धातु-निष्पन्न ‘प्रमित’ + नञ्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• योजनैः: by immoderate use of bitter, hot, astringent, sour, dry (things)
• योजनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तिक्तोषणकषायाम्लरूक्षाप्रमितयोजनैः इति बहुपद-द्वन्द्वसमासः (तिक्त+उष्ण+कषाय+अम्ल+रूक्ष+अप्रमित) विशेषणानां समाहारः, तैः योजनैः

• धावन: running
• धावन: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धाव् (धातु) → धावन (कृदन्त/भाववाचक-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• उदीरण: exertion/over-stimulation
• उदीरण: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्+ईर् (धातु) → उदीरण (कृदन्त/भाववाचक-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• निशा: night
• निशा: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• जागर: wakefulness
• जागर: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• अति: excessively
• अति: Avyaya (Preverb/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अत्यर्थे (excessively) (समासपूर्वपद)

• उच्च: loud/high
• उच्च: Samasa-anga (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उच्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; (समासपूर्वपद-रूपेण)

• भाषणैः: by running, exertion, night-waking, and excessively loud speaking
• भाषणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; धावनोदीरणनिशाजागरात्युच्चभाषणैः इति बहुपद-द्वन्द्वसमासः (धावन+उदीरण+निशाजागर+अति-उच्चभाषण) तैः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata/Pitta/Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ahita āhāra-vihāra: extreme tastes (tikta/uṣṇa/kaṣāya/amla/rūkṣa) and excess exertion, travel, overstimulation, night-waking, and loud speech disturb bodily balance.

Vedantic Theme: Moderation (mādhurya/saumyatā) and restraint reduce duḥkha; mastery of senses supports clarity of mind.

Application: Prefer balanced diet and routine; avoid chronic sleep deprivation, overwork, excessive travel/exertion, and harsh vocal strain; cultivate measured speech and restorative rest.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.146.14 (ahita-sevana as cause of doṣa aggravation); Garuda Purana 1.146.12 (diet timing/quantity and disease course)

FAQs

What is the importance of diet and restraint in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that unchecked sensory habits—especially food choices and excessive exertion—damage well-being and should be moderated as part of dharmic living.

How does this verse relate to karma and suffering described in the Garuda Purana?

It links everyday excess (in diet, activity, sleep, and speech) with self-inflicted harm, implying that disciplined conduct reduces causes that later mature into suffering.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt moderation: avoid extreme diets, overwork and sleep deprivation, reduce overstimulation, and practice calm, measured speech.