Shloka 46

Nidāna of Vātarakta and Āvaraṇa of Vāyu; Doṣa-wise Lakṣaṇas and Triphalā-Yoga Remedies

Devanagari script

समाने ऽतिक्रियाज्ञत्वमस्वेदो मन्दवह्निता / अपाने सकलं मूत्रं शकृतः स्यात्प्रवर्तनम्?

Transliteration

samāne 'tikriyājñatvamasvedo mandavahnitā / apāne sakalaṃ mūtraṃ śakṛtaḥ syātpravartanam?

Translation

When samāna is obstructed, there arises excessive activity with confused judgment, lack of sweating, and a weakening of the digestive fire (agni). When apāna is obstructed, the proper discharge of urine and feces becomes difficult.

Word by Word

• samāne: in samāna (vital air)
• samāne: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (Masculine, Locative, Singular)

• ati-kriyā-jñatvam: excessive activity/over-functioning (lit. excessive action-ness)
• ati-kriyā-jñatvam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ati (अव्यय) + kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + jñatva (प्रातिपदिक; √jñā (धातु) से भाव)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (atikriyāyāḥ jñatvam / atikriyā-jñatvam), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

• asvedaḥ: absence of sweating
• asvedaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asveda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• manda-vahnitā: weak digestive fire
• manda-vahnitā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manda (प्रातिपदिक) + vahni (प्रातिपदिक) + -tā (तद्धित)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (mandaḥ vahniḥ), तद्धितान्त -ता, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Feminine, Nominative, Singular)

• apāne: in apāna (vital air)
• apāne: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (Masculine, Locative, Singular)

• sakalam: entire/all
• sakalam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sakala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Adjective, Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

• mūtram: urine
• mūtram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūtra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

• śakṛtaḥ: of feces
• śakṛtaḥ: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakṛt (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (Neuter, Genitive, Singular)

• syāt: would be/is (may occur)
• syāt: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular)

• pravartanam: discharge/evacuation
• pravartanam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pra-√vṛt (धातु) + lyuṭ/ana → pravartana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Samāna obstruction disrupts digestion and regulation (mandāgni, asveda) and can produce misdirected activity; apāna obstruction impairs urine and feces discharge.

Vedantic Theme: Agni as inner order: when samāna fails to harmonize, the mind-body system loses coherence; proper functioning supports clarity (sattva) for higher pursuits.

Application: If restlessness coexists with poor judgment, dryness/no sweat, and weak digestion, suspect samāna obstruction; if elimination is difficult, suspect apāna obstruction—adjust diet, routine, and therapies to kindle agni and restore downward flow.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.167 (samāna/apāna vikṛti-lakṣaṇa)

Characters & Entities

• Samana Vayu
• Apana Vayu

FAQs

What is the importance of Samāna and Apāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links specific bodily functions—digestion (Samāna) and elimination (Apāna)—to vāyu balance, showing how obstruction produces recognizable symptoms.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By describing vāyus and their obstruction, it frames the body (and subtle physiology) as governed by prāṇic forces—knowledge used in Garuda Purana discussions of life, decline, and transitions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a diagnostic lens: persistent weak digestion, lack of sweating, or difficulty in urination/defecation indicates imbalance—supporting disciplined diet, routine, and appropriate medical care.