Shloka 23

Atīsāra (Diarrhoea) and Grahaṇī-doṣa: Causes, Prodromal Signs, Doṣa-wise Symptoms, and Major-Disease Status

Devanagari script

चिराद्दुः खं द्रवं शुष्कं तुन्दारं शब्दफेनवत् / पुनः पुनः सृजेद्वर्चं पायुरुच्छ्वासकासवान्

Transliteration

cirādduḥ khaṃ dravaṃ śuṣkaṃ tundāraṃ śabdaphenavat / punaḥ punaḥ sṛjedvarcaṃ pāyurucchvāsakāsavān

Translation

After a long time, with painful straining, he passes stool—sometimes watery and sometimes dry—accompanied by abdominal swelling and a frothy, gurgling sound; again and again he discharges feces, and is afflicted with rectal distress, labored breathing, and coughing.

Word by Word

• चिरात्: after a long time
• चिरात्: Kala/Adverbial
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: चिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोगसदृशः; अव्ययार्थे पञ्चमी-रूपम् (adverbial ablative) = ‘after a long time/slowly’

• दुःखम्: painfully/with difficulty
• दुःखम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (क्रियाविशेषणवत्)

• द्रवम्: liquid
• द्रवम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वर्चः इत्यस्य)

• शुष्कम्: dry
• शुष्कम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुष्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• तुन्दारम्: bulky/swollen (stool)
• तुन्दारम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुन्दार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वर्चः)

• शब्दफेनवत्: frothy and noisy (like foam with sound)
• शब्दफेनवत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शब्द + फेन + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोगः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शब्दः च फेनः च यस्मिन्/यथा) + वत् (possessive suffix)

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kala/Adverbial
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kala/Adverbial
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति-प्रयोगः (again and again)

• सृजेत्: would pass/emit
• सृजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वर्चः: stool/feces
• वर्चः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्चस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पायुरुच्छ्वासकासवान्: having rectal trouble, dyspnea, and cough
• पायुरुच्छ्वासकासवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पायु + उच्छ्वास + कास + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (पायु-उच्छ्वास-कास) + वत् (possessive)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Unregulated digestion manifests in alternating extremes (watery/dry) and repeated strain, showing instability of bodily systems.

Vedantic Theme: Deha-ashaucha and anityatva (impurity and impermanence of the body) prompting sobriety and care.

Application: Recognize chronic constipation/diarrhea alternation with straining, abdominal distension, frothy gurgling, repeated stools, rectal pain, dyspnea and cough as serious; seek medical care and correct diet/hydration.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.157.21 (acute GI affliction and thirst); Garuda Purana 1.157.22 (agni/timing of meals)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of describing such symptoms in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a diagnostic-style description of suffering in the embodied state, highlighting how pain, breath distress, and repeated evacuation are recognized signs of severe disorder and human vulnerability.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader theme of karma and suffering?

By detailing concrete bodily afflictions, the text frames physical misery as part of lived consequences and as a reminder to pursue dharma and timely religious duties rather than ignoring life’s impermanence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat serious symptoms with prompt medical care, and use the reminder of bodily fragility to live ethically, reduce harm, and perform one’s responsibilities and spiritual practices without delay.