Shloka 41

Cikitsā-sāra: Doṣa Nidāna–Lakṣaṇa, Agni, Ajīrṇa/Āma Cikitsā, Daśamūla, and Prognostic Signs

Devanagari script

गात्रभङ्गं शिरोजाड्यं भक्तदोषादयो गदान् / तस्मिन्स्वापो दिवा कार्योलङ्घनं च विवर्जनम्

Transliteration

gātrabhaṅgaṃ śirojāḍyaṃ bhaktadoṣādayo gadān / tasminsvāpo divā kāryolaṅghanaṃ ca vivarjanam

Translation

When there is body-ache as though the limbs were broken, heaviness and dullness of the head, and ailments born of faulty or incompatible food, then in that condition one should sleep by day and avoid fasting or deliberate abstinence from food.

Word by Word

• गात्रभङ्गम्: breaking/ache of the limbs
• गात्रभङ्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गात्र + भङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: गात्रस्य भङ्गः)

• शिरोजाड्यम्: heaviness/stiffness of the head
• शिरोजाड्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् + जाड्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: शिरसः जाड्यम्)

• भक्तदोषादयः: faults of food etc.
• भक्तदोषादयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त + दोष + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (भक्तस्य दोषाः) + 'आदि' (आदिशब्दः)

• गदान्: diseases
• गदान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन

• तस्मिन्: in that (condition/time)
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• स्वापः: sleep
• स्वापः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• दिवा: by day, in daytime
• दिवा: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दिव्/दिवा (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• कार्यः: should be done
• कार्यः: Vidhi (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् (कृत् प्रत्यय) → कार्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण; 'कर्तव्यः' (gerundive/obligatory)

• लङ्घनम्: fasting/lightening (therapy)
• लङ्घनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लङ्घ् (धातु) + अन (कृत्) → लङ्घन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; क्रियानाम (fasting/lightening therapy)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• विवर्जनम्: avoidance/abstention
• विवर्जनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि + वर्ज् (धातु) + अन (कृत्) → विवर्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; क्रियानाम (avoidance)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pathya-apathya (appropriate vs. inappropriate regimen) and compassion toward the body as an instrument of dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Sharira as sādhanā-upakaraṇa; moderation (yukta-āhāra-vihāra) supports sattva and steadiness.

Application: When severe body-ache, head heaviness, or food-incompatibility disorders arise, permit daytime sleep for recovery; avoid fasting/forced abstinence that worsens weakness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.168.42-45 (continuation of digestive/āma management and pathya)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of food-related disorders in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats improper diet as a direct cause of disease and gives a practical rule: prioritize restorative rest and do not intensify weakness through fasting.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Rather than afterlife doctrine, the verse focuses on dharmic self-care: maintaining the body through correct regimen supports one’s capacity for duty and spiritual practice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If symptoms follow dietary mistakes (heaviness, body ache), rest and avoid aggressive fasting; correct diet and gentle recovery are emphasized.