Shloka 7
क्षीयते बलमङ्गस्य श्वसित्यल्पो ऽविचेष्टितः / विषयावृत्तिबुद्धिश्च शोकशोषादयो ऽपिच
kṣīyate balamaṅgasya śvasityalpo 'viceṣṭitaḥ / viṣayāvṛttibuddhiśca śokaśoṣādayo 'pica
अंगों का बल क्षीण हो जाता है, श्वास अल्प हो जाती है, और व्यक्ति निष्क्रिय रहता है। बुद्धि बार-बार विषयों की ओर लौटती है; शोक, क्षय (शोष) आदि कष्ट भी उत्पन्न होते हैं।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Dosha: Vata
Concept: As the body weakens, the mind clings to sense-objects; cultivating detachment and steadiness becomes urgent.
Vedantic Theme: Vairāgya and abhyāsa: redirecting vṛtti from viṣaya toward the Self/Bhagavan, especially as prāṇa wanes.
Application: Reduce sensory overstimulation, practice japa and contemplation, keep uplifting company, and address grief through spiritual counsel.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: broader Pretakalpa emphasis on antima-smṛti and the consequences of mental fixation at death (thematic)
FAQs
This verse lists clear markers—loss of strength, shallow breathing, inactivity, and grief/wasting—so a person can recognize decline early and turn toward disciplined living and spiritual focus.
By showing how illness pulls the mind toward sense-objects and sorrow, it indirectly warns that mental state at decline matters—one should cultivate steadiness rather than fixation and distress.
Notice early signs of weakness and breathlessness, reduce compulsive sense-distractions, and adopt calm routines (prayer, restraint, sattvic habits) to stabilize the mind during hardship.