Shloka 5

Kuṣṭha-bheda-lakṣaṇa-nidāna and Śvitra (Kilāsa) Prognosis

Devanagari script

सस्वेदक्लेदसङ्कोचान्कृमीन् सूक्ष्मांश्चदारुणान् / लोमत्वक्स्नायुधमनीराक्रामति यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

sasvedakledasaṅkocānkṛmīn sūkṣmāṃścadāruṇān / lomatvaksnāyudhamanīrākrāmati yathākramam

Translation

Along with sweat, dampness, and contraction, dreadful minute worms arise; and in due order they invade the hair, skin, sinews, and the body’s vessels and channels.

Word by Word

• sa-sveda-kleda-saṅkocān: with sweat, moisture, and contraction
• sa-sveda-kleda-saṅkocān: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + sveda (प्रातिपदिक) + kleda (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkoca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; 'स-' = सहित (with), विशेषणम् (kṛmīn)

• kṛmīn: worms/germs
• kṛmīn: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• sūkṣmān: subtle/microscopic
• sūkṣmān: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūkṣma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (kṛmīn)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपातः

• dāruṇān: terrible/violent
• dāruṇān: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dāruṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (kṛmīn)

• loma-tvak-snāyu-dhamanīḥ: hair, skin, sinews, and arteries
• loma-tvak-snāyu-dhamanīḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loman (प्रातिपदिक) + tvac (प्रातिपदिक) + snāyu (प्रातिपदिक) + dhamanī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (collective set)

• ākrāmati: invades/overruns
• ākrāmati: Kriyā (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-kram (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• yathā-kramam: in sequence/gradually
• yathā-kramam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमासः; क्रियाविशेषणम् (in due order)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When corruption matures, it generates destructive agents (kṛmi) that invade progressively; consequences intensify stepwise when causes persist.

Vedantic Theme: Gradual thickening of bondage through repeated negligence and harmful action; small causes accumulating into severe effects.

Application: Control dampness/unclean conditions and address early symptoms; maintain cleanliness and disciplined habits to prevent escalation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: microcosmic

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: medical descriptions of kṛmi and tissue invasion; progression motifs in roga narratives

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

Why does the Garuda Purana mention worms (kṛmi) in this context?

The verse uses “kṛmi” to depict the gruesome progression of decay/disease—minute organisms that spread through bodily structures, emphasizing the body’s vulnerability.

What body parts are affected according to this verse?

It lists a sequence: hair (loma), skin (tvak), sinews (snāyu), and vessels/channels (dhamanī), indicating increasing depth of invasion.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain hygiene and disciplined living, and cultivate detachment: the text highlights that the body is subject to contamination and breakdown.