Shloka 28

Prameha-Nidāna-Lakṣaṇa-Bheda: Etiology, Signs, Varieties, and Complications of Meha

Devanagari script

शरावमानसंस्थाना पिडिका स्याच्छराविका / सदाहा कूर्मसंस्थाना ज्ञेया कच्छपिका बुधैः

Transliteration

śarāvamānasaṃsthānā piḍikā syāccharāvikā / sadāhā kūrmasaṃsthānā jñeyā kacchapikā budhaiḥ

Translation

A pustule whose form resembles a bowl (śarāva) is called charāvikā. And that which is tortoise-shaped and burns constantly is known by the wise as kacchapikā.

Word by Word

• शराव-मान-संस्थानाः: bowl-shaped
• शराव-मान-संस्थानाः: Visheshana (Qualifier of पिडिकाः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शराव (प्रातिपदिक) + मान (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष): शरावमानसंस्थानाः = having the shape/measure of a shallow bowl (śarāva)

• पिडिकाः: pustules
• पिडिकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिडिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• स्यात्: is (called)
• स्यात्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; ‘would be/is said to be’

• शराविका: (called) Śarāvikā
• शराविका: Pratijna/Naamapada (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शराविका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; नाम (designation)

• स-दाहाः: with burning
• स-दाहाः: Visheshana (Qualifier of implied पिडिकाः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + दाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव: सदाहाः = with burning sensation

• कूर्म-संस्थानाः: tortoise-shaped
• कूर्म-संस्थानाः: Visheshana (Qualifier of implied पिडिकाः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कूर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष): having tortoise-like shape

• ज्ञेयाः: should be known as
• ज्ञेयाः: Kriya-visheshana / Vidheya (Predicative qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु) + य (कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विधेय/भाव्य (gerundive): ‘to be known/should be recognized’

• कच्छपिका: (called) Kacchapikā
• कच्छपिका: Pratijna/Naamapada (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कच्छपिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; नाम (designation)

• बुधैः: by the wise
• बुधैः: Kartr-karana (Agentive instrumental)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘by the wise’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nama-rupa classification—diseases are distinguished by form (śarāva/bowl; kūrma/tortoise) and sensation (dāha/burning).

Vedantic Theme: Vyavahara-level naming: conventional knowledge organizes experience for effective action (implicit).

Application: Use shape and symptom (burning) to identify charāvikā vs kacchapikā and choose appropriate soothing/cooling measures under guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.159 (pidika-nama and lakshana sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of describing afflictions like charāvikā and kacchapikā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse classifies specific painful bodily conditions by their form and sensation, supporting the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that suffering can manifest as precise karmic consequences.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to karma?

By naming distinct burning and deforming ailments, the text reinforces that karma yields concrete experiences in embodied states—linking ethical conduct to the quality of suffering or relief a being encounters.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to live ethically and compassionately, and to approach illness with introspection and dharmic remedies (prayer, charity, self-restraint), without blaming the sufferer.