Shloka 38

Pāṇḍu-Śotha Nidāna: Doṣa-wise Signs, Complications, and Prognosis

Devanagari script

विषजः सविषप्राणिपरिसर्पणमूत्रणात् / दंष्ट्रादन्तनखाघातादविषप्राणिनामपि

Transliteration

viṣajaḥ saviṣaprāṇiparisarpaṇamūtraṇāt / daṃṣṭrādantanakhāghātādaviṣaprāṇināmapi

Translation

毒は、這い回る有毒の生き物の尿に触れることから生じうる。また、牙・歯・爪の打撃によっても起こりうる—たとえ本来は毒をもたぬ生き物であっても。

Word by Word

• विषजः: poison-born
• विषजः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विष + ज (प्रातिपदिक; समास/उपपद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः—विषात् जातः (arisen from poison)

• स-विष-प्राणि-परिसर्पण-मूत्रणात्: from the crawling and urination of venomous creatures
• स-विष-प्राणि-परिसर्पण-मूत्रणात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स + विष + प्राणि + परिसर्पण + मूत्रण (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—सविषप्राणिनः परिसर्पणं मूत्रणं च तस्मात् (from crawling/urination of venomous creatures)

• दंष्ट्रा-दन्त-नख-आघातात्: from blows/bites of fangs, teeth, and nails
• दंष्ट्रा-दन्त-नख-आघातात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दंष्ट्रा + दन्त + नख + आघात (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः—दंष्ट्रादन्तनखानाम् आघातः (from strikes/bites by fangs, teeth, nails)

• अ-विष-प्राणिनाम्: of non-venomous creatures
• अ-विष-प्राणिनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + विष + प्राणि (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुषः—अविषाः प्राणिनः (of non-venomous creatures)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थे/समुच्चये (also/even)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Harm may arise from indirect contact and underestimated sources; prudence and non-negligence are protective virtues.

Vedantic Theme: Avidyā as misapprehension: taking the non-dangerous as safe leads to duḥkha; cultivate attentive awareness (apramāda).

Application: Avoid contact with animal excreta; treat bites/scratches seriously; practice hygiene and seek timely treatment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: forest/ground habitat

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.162 (viṣa-utpatti and transmission modes)

Characters & Entities

• Venomous creatures
• Non-venomous creatures

FAQs

What is the importance of identifying sources of poison in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that harm can come not only from obvious venom (fangs) but also from less-considered contacts like the urine of venomous crawling creatures, encouraging careful discernment and preventive conduct.

How does this verse fit the Garuda–Vishnu dialogue in the Garuda Purana?

As Vishnu instructs Garuda, the text often lists specific causes and consequences; here the instruction is practical—cataloging ways poison or toxic harm may occur, including from non-venomous beings via injury.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat animal bites/scratches seriously, avoid contact with animal waste, and seek timely medical care—this aligns with the verse’s emphasis on prevention and recognizing multiple routes of toxicity or infection.