Shloka 17

Roganidāna: Definitions, Fivefold Diagnostic Method, and Doṣa-wise Causes

Devanagari script

पित्तं कट्वालतीक्ष्णोष्णकटुक्रोधविदाहिभिः / शरन्मध्याह्नरात्र्यर्धविदाहसमयेषु च

Transliteration

pittaṃ kaṭvālatīkṣṇoṣṇakaṭukrodhavidāhibhiḥ / śaranmadhyāhnarātryardhavidāhasamayeṣu ca

Translation

Pitta s’exacerbe par les saveurs piquante et acide, par ce qui est tranchant et brûlant, par les habitudes tournées vers le piquant, par la colère et par tout ce qui cause la brûlure; il croît aussi en automne, à midi, à minuit, et durant les temps marqués par la sensation d’ardeur.

Word by Word

• pittam: pitta (bile; heat-humor)
• pittam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; प्रसङ्गतः कर्तृपद (अग्नि-दोषः)

• kaṭu: pungent
• kaṭu: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṭu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; रसविशेषण; समासपूर्वपद

• āla: sour/astringent (uncertain reading)
• āla: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; (दुर्लभ/आयुर्वेद-प्रयोग)

• tīkṣṇa: sharp, intense
• tīkṣṇa: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tīkṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• uṣṇa: hot
• uṣṇa: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• kaṭu: pungent
• kaṭu: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṭu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; पुनरुक्त-विशेषण

• krodha: anger
• krodha: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• vidāhibhiḥ: burning/irritating (agents)
• vidāhibhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vidāhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; ‘विदाहि’ = causing burning; समासान्त्यपद

• śarat: in autumn
• śarat: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ऋतुवाचक; समासपूर्वपद (शरत्+मध्याह्न...)

• madhyāhna: at midday
• madhyāhna: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya + ahna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘मध्याह्ने’ (लोपः) समासपूर्वपद

• rātri: at night
• rātri: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rātri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• ardha: half (mid-)
• ardha: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ardha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘रात्र्यर्धे’ = in the middle of the night; समासपूर्वपद

• vidāha: burning sensation
• vidāha: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidāha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘विदाहसमये’ इत्यर्थे समासपूर्वपद

• samayeṣu: at times/occasions
• samayeṣu: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), बहुवचन; ‘समयेषु’ = at times; समासान्त्यपद

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra in a didactic passage)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pitta increases through hot, sharp, pungent/sour inputs and anger; time (autumn, midday, midnight) modulates inner fire.

Vedantic Theme: Mind-body linkage: krodha (anger) disturbs inner balance; cultivating equanimity supports sattva.

Application: Reduce pungent/sour and overly hot foods; avoid anger and heat exposure; be cautious in autumn and at midday/midnight; adopt cooling routines.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.146.16 (Vata causes); Garuda Purana 1.146.18-19 (Kapha causes); Garuda Purana 1.146.20 (Sannipata)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of pitta control in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links pitta-aggravation to diet (pungent/sour, hot, sharp) and mental states (anger), implying that self-control and regulated living are essential for maintaining bodily balance.

How does this verse explain the timing of pitta aggravation?

It specifies seasonal and daily peaks—autumn, midday, and midnight—and notes that pitta rises during episodes of burning/irritation, indicating predictable cycles for managing heat-related symptoms.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Reduce excessively spicy/sour and very hot foods, avoid anger and irritants, and be extra cautious about heat and inflammation during autumn and around midday or late night.