Shloka 10

Hikkā-nidāna: Causes, Types, and the Grave Yamalā/Veginī Hiccup

Devanagari script

पृष्ठतो नमनं सार्ष्यं महाहिक्रा प्रवर्तते / महाशूला महाशब्दा महावेगा महाबला

Transliteration

pṛṣṭhato namanaṃ sārṣyaṃ mahāhikrā pravartate / mahāśūlā mahāśabdā mahāvegā mahābalā

Translation

From behind, a dreadful, headlong pressure bears down, and a great serpent-like terror surges forth—armed with mighty spears, roaring with immense sound, rushing with tremendous speed, and endowed with overwhelming strength.

Word by Word

• पृष्ठतः: from behind; behind
• पृष्ठतः: Adhikarana (Locative sense/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण), तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त: ‘पृष्ठतः’ = ‘पृष्ठात्/पश्चात्’ (from behind/behind)

• नमनम्: bowing; bending
• नमनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नमन (प्रातिपदिक; √नम् धातुज)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (nom./acc. sg.)

• सार्ष्यम्: with the head; head-first (approx.)
• सार्ष्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सार्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘नमनम्’)

• महाहिक्रा: the great ‘hikrā’ (a severe condition/affliction)
• महाहिक्रा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महā + हिक्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; समास: कर्मधारय (महती हिक्रा)

• प्रवर्तते: arises; proceeds; occurs
• प्रवर्तते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• महाशूला: having great pain/colic
• महाशूला: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā + शूला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (महती शूला)

• महाशब्दा: with loud sound/noise
• महाशब्दा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā + शब्दा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (महान् शब्दः यस्याः/महती शब्दा)

• महावेगा: very swift; forceful
• महावेगा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā + वेगा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (महान् वेगः)

• महाबला: very strong
• महाबला: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā + बला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (महती बलवती)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.151 (Ayurveda/roga-vijnana context; adjacent verses on bodily channels and regimen)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Serpent-like terrors (mahāhikrā)

FAQs

What is the importance of terrifying descriptions in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses intense imagery—crushing force, roaring sound, spear-like pain, and swift pursuit—to impress upon the listener the seriousness of karma and the consequences faced by the departed (preta) on the post-death path.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It portrays the soul’s journey as not merely a route but an experience of pursuit and pressure—forces closing in from behind with speed and power—suggesting the inescapability of karmic results until proper rites and merits support the traveler.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with restraint and compassion, reduce harmful actions that generate fear-based consequences, and—within tradition—support ethical living with remembrance, charity, and proper śrāddha-related observances for ancestors and the departed.