Shloka 2

Śvāsa-nidāna: Etiology, Types, Symptom Progression, and Fatal Prognosis

Devanagari script

आमातिसारवमथुविषपाण्डुज्वरैरपि / रजोधूमानिलैर्मर्मघातादपि हिमाम्बुना

Transliteration

āmātisāravamathuviṣapāṇḍujvarairapi / rajodhūmānilairmarmaghātādapi himāmbunā

Translation

It may also be brought on by dysentery and vomiting; by poisoning, jaundice, and fevers; by dust, smoke, and harsh winds; by blows to the vital points (marma); and even by cold water—thus a person may be driven into suffering.

Word by Word

• āma-atisāra-vama-thu-viṣa-pāṇḍu-jvaraiḥ: by āma, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, poison, anemia, fever
• āma-atisāra-vama-thu-viṣa-pāṇḍu-jvaraiḥ: Karana/Hetu (Instrument/Cause/करण-हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āma (प्रातिपदिक) + atisāra (प्रातिपदिक) + vama (प्रातिपदिक) + thu (प्रातिपदिक; ‘thū’/‘thu’ = nausea?) + viṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + pāṇḍu (प्रातिपदिक) + jvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (enumeration)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि-निपात (also)

• rajaḥ-dhūma-anilaiḥ: by dust, smoke, and wind
• rajaḥ-dhūma-anilaiḥ: Karana/Hetu (Instrument/Cause/करण-हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajas (प्रातिपदिक) + dhūma (प्रातिपदिक) + anila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (dust, smoke, wind)

• marma-ghātāt: from injury to vital points
• marma-ghātāt: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: marma (प्रातिपदिक) + ghāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (marmāṇāṃ ghātaḥ = injury to vital spots); हेत्वर्थे पञ्चमी

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि-निपात (also/even)

• hima-ambunā: by cold water
• hima-ambunā: Karana/Hetu (Instrument/Cause/करण-हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hima (प्रातिपदिक) + ambu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (himaṃ ambu = cold water); करणार्थे तृतीया

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nidāna-parivarjana (avoidance of causes): multiple internal and external triggers can precipitate śvāsa; prevention is foundational.

Vedantic Theme: Prāṇa as a vital support of embodied life; mindful regulation of inputs (food, air, exposure) reduces duḥkha.

Application: Identify and avoid triggers: treat GI upsets and fevers promptly; avoid smoke/dust; protect from cold exposure; prevent trauma to vital points; manage toxins and jaundice/fever states.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: environmental settings

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.150.1 (śvāsa nidāna heading)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of describing illnesses and injuries in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists concrete forms of affliction to illustrate how embodied life is vulnerable to suffering, supporting the Purana’s wider teaching that one should follow dharma and remedial rites to reduce karmic distress.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing the fragility of the physical body through disease and injury, it implicitly points to the distinction between body and the subtle self, a key theme used in the Garuda Purana’s afterlife and karmic discussions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with restraint and care—avoid harmful actions, protect health, and practice dharmic conduct and prayer/charity as supports when facing unavoidable suffering.