Shloka 16
Śvāsa-nidāna: Etiology, Types, Symptom Progression, and Fatal Prognosis
शुष्ककण्ठो मुहुश्चैव कर्णशङ्खाशिरो ऽतिरुक् / यो दीर्घमुच्छ्वसित्यूर्ध्वं न च प्रत्याहरत्यधः
śuṣkakaṇṭho muhuścaiva karṇaśaṅkhāśiro 'tiruk / yo dīrghamucchvasityūrdhvaṃ na ca pratyāharatyadhaḥ
His throat is parched again and again, with acute pain in the ears, temples, and head. He draws long breaths upward and cannot bring them back down—these are signs of death drawing near.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Prāṇa’s upward movement at death underscores the transient body and the need for a higher refuge (Viṣṇu/Ātman).
Vedantic Theme: Prāṇa-utkrānti and the importance of antakāla-citta; turning from deha to paramārtha.
Application: When such signs appear, focus on mantra/hearing sacred names, reduce worldly talk, and create a calm devotional environment.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.150 (maraṇa-lakṣaṇa sequence)
FAQs
This verse lists bodily indicators (dry throat, head pain, altered breathing) used to recognize the approach of death so that appropriate spiritual and ritual preparations can be made.
By highlighting the disruption of normal breath regulation (prāṇa no longer returning downward), it points to the moment when life-breath withdraws and the jīva is about to separate from the body—an entry point to the preta journey described later.
When such end-of-life signs appear, prioritize calm presence, remembrance of the Divine, and timely observance of customary last rites preparations rather than delay or denial.