Shloka 4

Pāṇḍu-Śotha Nidāna: Doṣa-wise Signs, Complications, and Prognosis

Devanagari script

स्वयं हरिद्रा हारिद्रं पाण्डुत्वं तेषु चाधिकम् / यातो ऽयं प्रहतेदुग्रः स रोगस्तेन गौरवम्

Transliteration

svayaṃ haridrā hāridraṃ pāṇḍutvaṃ teṣu cādhikam / yāto 'yaṃ prahatedugraḥ sa rogastena gauravam

Translation

The body itself turns yellow—deeply turmeric-hued—and pronounced pallor appears. When this fierce disorder has set in and struck a person, it brings heaviness and debility because of that disease.

Word by Word

• स्वयम्: by itself; spontaneously
• स्वयम्: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (reflexive adverb)

• हरिद्रा: turmeric; yellow coloration
• हरिद्रा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरिद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हारिद्रम्: yellowish; turmeric-like
• हारिद्रम्: Kriya-visheshana (Predicative complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हारिद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण/भाववाचक

• पाण्डुत्वम्: pallor; paleness
• पाण्डुत्वम्: Karma (Object/Complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डु (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (तद्धित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भाववाचक-तद्धित (abstract noun)

• तेषु: in them; among those
• तेषु: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/locative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अधिकम्: more; excessive
• अधिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तुलनार्थक

• यातः: has become; has gone to
• यातः: Kriya-visheshana (Predicative complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √या (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्यय—‘gone/attained’

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रहते: when struck/afflicted; upon being injured
• प्रहते: Adhikarana (Condition/Location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रहत (√हन् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध/locative absolute-प्रायः)

• दुग्रः: severe; intense
• दुग्रः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्ग्र/दुग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (रोगः)

• सः: that; he/it
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• रोगः: disease
• रोगः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तेन: therefore; by that
• तेन: Karana (Cause/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/instrumental), एकवचन

• गौरवम्: heaviness; seriousness
• गौरवम्: Karma (Result/Complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भाववाचक

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Haridrā-like yellowing with marked pallor indicates a severe, forceful disease state producing heaviness (gourava) and systemic burden.

Vedantic Theme: Suffering (duḥkha) as a prompt for discernment and right action within embodied life.

Application: Treat pronounced yellowing/pallor as a red-flag; evaluate pitta-rakta involvement and systemic weakness; institute prompt care and supportive measures.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: body/skin manifestation

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.162.1 (pitta predominance); Garuda Purana 1.162.3 (varṇa-bheda mechanism)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of describing yellowing and pallor in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a diagnostic marker: it identifies a severe disorder through visible signs—yellow discoloration and pronounced pallor—so the condition is recognized early.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing bodily affliction and heaviness, it highlights the embodied condition as fragile—supporting the Purana’s broader teaching to pursue dharma and spiritual preparation beyond the body.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat persistent yellowing, pallor, and heaviness as serious warning signs—seek timely care, improve diet and routine, and cultivate disciplined living (ācāra) alongside spiritual practice.