Shloka 51
Jvara-Nidāna-Lakṣaṇa: Causes, Doṣic Types, Āma/Nirāma Stages, and Prognosis of Fever
अल्पो ऽपि दोषो दुष्ट्यादेर्लब्ध्वान्यतमतो बलम् / स प्रत्यनीको विषमं यस्माद्वृद्धिक्षयान्वितः
alpo 'pi doṣo duṣṭyāderlabdhvānyatamato balam / sa pratyanīko viṣamaṃ yasmādvṛddhikṣayānvitaḥ
ചെറിയ ദോഷം പോലും ദുഷ്ടപ്രവണത മുതലായവയിൽ നിന്ന് അല്പം ബലം നേടിയാൽ, അത് ശക്തമായ പ്രതിപക്ഷമായി മാറുന്നു—അത് വിഷമവും നിയന്ത്രിക്കാൻ ദുഷ്കരവുമാകുന്നു; കാരണം അതിൽ വർദ്ധിയും ക്ഷയവും രണ്ടും ചേർന്നിരിക്കുന്നു।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Minor दोष becomes formidable when nourished by duṣṭa tendencies; it turns irregular (viṣama) due to cycles of vṛddhi and kṣaya—hence early correction is crucial.
Vedantic Theme: Saṃskāra amplification: small lapses, when repeated, become binding vāsanās; vigilance (apramāda) is a gatekeeper of freedom.
Application: Address small imbalances and ethical lapses early; avoid feeding them through repetition; build counter-habits and seek guidance before patterns become entrenched.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.147.50 (wrong diet/habits prolong disease); Garuda Purana 1.147.48 (maryādā as protective boundary)
FAQs
This verse warns that even minor faults can become powerful obstacles when reinforced by wicked tendencies, so early restraint prevents larger karmic consequences.
By emphasizing how doṣas strengthen and destabilize a person, it implies that unchecked moral defects shape one’s karmic trajectory and can complicate post-death outcomes described in the Preta Kanda.
Treat “small” unethical habits as serious: correct them early through self-discipline, truthful conduct, and avoiding harmful company that feeds negative tendencies.