Shloka 31

Madātyaya Nidāna and Lakṣaṇa: Liquor’s Qualities, Tridoṣa Presentations, and Fainting Signs

Devanagari script

वाग्देहमनसां चेष्टामाक्षिप्यातिबलाबलाः / ससन्यासं निपतिताः प्राणाघातनसंश्रयाः

Transliteration

vāgdehamanasāṃ ceṣṭāmākṣipyātibalābalāḥ / sasanyāsaṃ nipatitāḥ prāṇāghātanasaṃśrayāḥ

Translation

Overpowering them with superior force, they seize the movements of speech, body, and mind; and even those who have taken up saṃnyāsa are made to fall, taking refuge in acts that lead to the destruction of life.

Word by Word

• वाक्: speech
• वाक्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• देह: body
• देह: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• मनसाम्: of minds
• मनसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• चेष्टाम्: activity; movement
• चेष्टाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेष्टा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• आक्षिप्य: having seized/dragged away
• आक्षिप्य: Purva-kala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive); धातु: क्षिप् (to throw) उपसर्ग: आ

• अतिबलाबलाः: very strong and weak (alternating)
• अतिबलाबलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति-बल-अबल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वः (बल + अबल) अति-उपसर्गपूर्वक; विशेषण

• स: with
• स: Sambandha (Association/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/सहकारार्थक-अव्यय (with)

• संन्यासम्: renunciation
• संन्यासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संन्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• निपतिताः: fallen down; collapsed
• निपतिताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-पत् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; उपसर्ग: नि

• प्राणाघातनसंश्रयाः: resorting to life-injury; life-threatening
• प्राणाघातनसंश्रयाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राण-आघातन-संश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समासः (प्राणानाम् आघातनम्) + संश्रय; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even disciplined persons can be overwhelmed when forces seize speech, body, and mind; humility and vigilance are required.

Vedantic Theme: Embodiment (deha) is subject to prakṛti’s forces; vairāgya is essential but not a substitute for prudent care in the phenomenal realm.

Application: Do not spiritualize away serious impairment; seek help, safeguard life, and maintain compassionate support systems even for ascetics/renunciants.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: discussions of prāṇa, mind, and vulnerability of embodied beings (general parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of controlling speech, body, and mind in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that wrongdoing begins by overpowering one’s faculties—speech, bodily action, and mental intention—so discipline of all three is essential to remain on dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul and karma?

By showing that even renunciants can fall into life-harming acts when overcome by powerful impulses, it implies that karmic bondage is driven by inner compulsion unless vigilance and purity are maintained.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice restraint in speech, non-violence in action, and mindfulness of intention—especially avoiding prāṇa-himsā (harm to living beings)—as the foundation of dharmic living.