Shloka 3
Kuṣṭha-bheda-lakṣaṇa-nidāna and Śvitra (Kilāsa) Prognosis
दूषयन्ति च संशोष्य निश्चरन्तस्ततो बहिः / त्वचः कुर्वान्ति वैवर्ण्यं शिष्टाः कुष्ठमुशन्तितम्
dūṣayanti ca saṃśoṣya niścarantastato bahiḥ / tvacaḥ kurvānti vaivarṇyaṃ śiṣṭāḥ kuṣṭhamuśantitam
They vitiate and dry up the tissues; then, moving outward, they manifest. They cause discoloration of the skin—this the learned describe as kuṣṭha, a severe disease of the skin.
Dhanvantari
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Inner corruption (from karmic/behavioral causes) progresses to outward manifestation; disease is a revealed consequence, not merely accidental.
Vedantic Theme: Cause-effect continuity (kārya-kāraṇa-bhāva) in embodied life; the subtle becoming gross and perceptible.
Application: Do not ignore early internal signs; address root causes (diet, conduct, mental hostility) before disease externalizes and becomes chronic.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: microcosmic
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Dhanvantari’s descriptions of roga progression; references to kuṣṭha as severe, socially marked disease in medical-dharma contexts
FAQs
It emphasizes vaivarṇya—discoloration or abnormal change in skin color—as a key outward sign.
It portrays impurities that first vitiate and dry tissues, then move outward through channels and manifest externally on the skin.
Use it as an ethical reminder—avoid harmful actions and habits—and as a prompt for early attention to persistent skin changes with proper healthcare.