Shloka 11

Raktapitta Nidāna and Cikitsā: Causes, Signs, Srotas-Spread, and Śodhana Priority

Devanagari script

कटुतिक्तकषाया वा ये निसर्गात्कफावहाः / अधो याप्यञ्च नायुष्मांस्तत्प्रच्छर्दनसाधकम्

Transliteration

kaṭutiktakaṣāyā vā ye nisargātkaphāvahāḥ / adho yāpyañca nāyuṣmāṃstatpracchardanasādhakam

Translation

Substances that are pungent, bitter, or astringent by nature and that raise phlegm—when taken so as to act downward—do not promote longevity; rather, they serve to induce vomiting.

Word by Word

• kaṭu-tikta-kaṣāyāḥ: (those that are) pungent, bitter, and astringent
• kaṭu-tikta-kaṣāyāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṭu (प्रातिपदिक) + tikta (प्रातिपदिक) + kaṣāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (adjectival) — ‘pungent, bitter, astringent (ones)’

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्ययम् (disjunctive particle) — ‘or’

• ye: which/those who
• ye: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचनम्; सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• nisargāt: by nature, naturally
• nisargāt: Hetu/Apādāna (Cause/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nisarga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, पञ्चमी (5th case/ablative), एकवचनम् — ‘by nature/from natural constitution’

• kapha-āvahāḥ: bringing/causing kapha
• kapha-āvahāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kapha (प्रातिपदिक) + ā√vah (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचनम्; कृदन्त-विशेषणम् — ‘आवह’ (bringing/causing) with object in compound

• adhas: downwards
• adhas: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adhas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम् (adverb) — ‘downwards/below’

• yāpyaṃ: palliable, manageable
• yāpyaṃ: Karma/Predicative (Object/Complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yāpya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् — ‘manageable/palliable’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (conjunction) — ‘and’

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम् (negation) — ‘not’

• āyuṣmān: long-lived
• āyuṣmān: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āyuṣmant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् — ‘long-lived/possessing life’

• tat-pracchardana-sādhakam: causing that vomiting (emesis)
• tat-pracchardana-sādhakam: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + pracchardana (प्रातिपदिक) + sādhaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् — ‘that-vomiting-producing/that which effects emesis’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the Garuda Purana’s instructional narration)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right use of substances and therapies: what is naturally kapha-provoking and used improperly is not life-promoting; emesis is a deliberate therapeutic endpoint.

Vedantic Theme: Yukti (discernment) in pravṛtti: aligning action with proper order (ṛta) to sustain life and clarity.

Application: Use pungent/bitter/astringent substances with awareness of their kapha effects; avoid misapplication aimed ‘downward’ when the effect is emetic; seek qualified guidance for vamana/śodhana.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.148 (Ayurveda/therapeutics section: śodhana, doṣa management, emesis/purgation context)

FAQs

What is the importance of kapha-related dietary guidance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that certain tastes (pungent, bitter, astringent) can aggravate kapha and may function therapeutically (e.g., inducing emesis) rather than being inherently longevity-promoting.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address the soul’s journey directly; instead, it gives practical bodily/medical instruction, reflecting the Purana’s broader aim of guiding right living alongside spiritual teachings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use strong, drying tastes with care—especially in kapha conditions—and recognize that some interventions are therapeutic (cleansing) rather than daily tonics; consult qualified Ayurvedic guidance for safe practice.