Madātyaya Nidāna and Lakṣaṇa: Liquor’s Qualities, Tridoṣa Presentations, and Fainting Signs
न वेद शीकमोहार्तं शोष (क) मोहादिसंयुतः / सोन्मादभ्रममूर्छायां सापस्मारः पतत्यधः
na veda śīkamohārtaṃ śoṣa (ka) mohādisaṃyutaḥ / sonmādabhramamūrchāyāṃ sāpasmāraḥ patatyadhaḥ
Dilanda delusi yang membutakan dan disertai kelemahan yang mengikis, ia kehilangan daya membeda; jatuh ke dalam kegilaan, kebingungan, pingsan, dan kejang seperti epilepsi, ia merosot ke keadaan rendah.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instructing Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Moha (delusion) destroys viveka (discernment) and precipitates downfall; inner confusion becomes a cause and sign of lower destiny.
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā/moha obscuring buddhi; loss of viveka leading to saṃsāric descent.
Application: Strengthen discernment through satsanga, self-restraint, and mindful avoidance of intoxicants/compulsions that amplify moha; seek help early for mental/neurological instability.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring motif that moha and pāpa lead to adho-gati and suffering states (contextual parallel).
This verse treats moha as a force that destroys discernment and drives a being into degrading states, indicating a karmic and spiritual “downfall” rather than upliftment.
By linking inner confusion, loss of awareness, and seizure-like collapse with “falling downward,” it implies that uncontrolled delusion and harmful tendencies condition the jīva toward lower destinations in Yama’s order rather than higher progress.
Cultivate clarity (viveka) through ethical living, self-restraint, and steady spiritual practice; avoiding intoxicating delusion and harmful habits is presented as protection from decline in mind and destiny.