Shloka 5

Aśva–Gaja Āyurveda: Marks, Defects, Wounds, Doṣa-Therapy, and Protective Rites

Devanagari script

असंहता ये च वाहा ह्रस्वकर्णास्तथैव च / शबलाभाः प्रभावेषु न दीनाश्चिरजीविनः

Transliteration

asaṃhatā ye ca vāhā hrasvakarṇāstathaiva ca / śabalābhāḥ prabhāveṣu na dīnāścirajīvinaḥ

Translation

ಸುದೃಢವಾಗಿ ಸಂಹತವಾಗಿರುವ ವಾಹಗಳು, ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಕಿವಿಗಳಿರುವವು, ಶಬಲವರ್ಣದವು—ಅವು ತಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಭಾವಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಶಕ್ತಿಶಾಲಿಗಳು; ದೀನರಲ್ಲ; ದೀರ್ಘಾಯುಷ್ಯವುಳ್ಳವು.

Word by Word

• असंहताः: not well-knit; loose-built
• असंहताः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ- (नञ्) + संहत (कृदन्त; √हन्/√हन्? here ‘संहन्/संहृ’ sense ‘compact’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; नञ्-समास/नकारार्थ: ‘not compact/ill-knit’

• ये: who/which
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक (relative pronoun)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• वाहाः: mounts/steeds
• वाहाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ह्रस्वकर्णाः: short-eared
• ह्रस्वकर्णाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ह्रस्व (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘ह्रस्वाः कर्णाः येषाम्’ (short-eared)

• तथा: thus/also
• तथा: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): ‘in that manner/also’

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात

• च: and
• च: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• शबलाभाः: dappled in appearance
• शबलाभाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शबल (प्रातिपदिक) + आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘शबला आभा येषाम्’ (dappled-colored)

• प्रभावेषु: in their vigor/strength/effects
• प्रभावेषु: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-निपात (negation particle)

• दीनाः: weak/dejected
• दीनाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• चिरजीविनः: long-lived
• चिरजीविनः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिर (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + जीविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘चिरं जीवति’ (long-living)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious characteristics (lakṣaṇa) and the link between sound constitution and favorable outcomes.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva expressed as harmony and integrity of form; orderly living supports well-being.

Application: Choose reliable, well-built supports (vehicles, tools, habits); cultivate ‘well-knit’ routines for resilience and longevity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: lakṣaṇa/omen sections on animals and conveyances (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious signs (lakṣaṇas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats physical and qualitative markers—soundness, specific features, and radiance—as indicators of strength and well-being, contrasting them with misery; such lakṣaṇas are used to understand the condition of the post-death journey.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By describing the qualities of the soul’s associated conveyance/vehicle, it implies that the post-death passage is experienced with varying degrees of power and distress, depending on one’s condition and karmic momentum.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live in a way that cultivates steadiness and clarity—ethical conduct, restraint, and sincere rites for ancestors—so the after-death transition is envisioned as supported rather than afflicted.