Shloka 18

Devanagari script

स्निग्धप्रसन्नवक्रत्वं श्रीमद्दर्शननेत्रता / ततो ऽस्य क्षयरूपाणि सर्वाण्याविर्भवन्ति च

Transliteration

snigdhaprasannavakratvaṃ śrīmaddarśananetratā / tato 'sya kṣayarūpāṇi sarvāṇyāvirbhavanti ca

Translation

മുഖത്ത് സ്നിഗ്ധതയും പ്രസന്നതയും കാണപ്പെടും; കണ്ണുകളിൽ ശ്രീമദ്ദർശനത്തെപ്പോലെ ദീപ്തമായ ദൃഷ്ടി ഉണ്ടാകും. തുടർന്ന് ക്ഷയത്തിന്റെ എല്ലാ ലക്ഷണങ്ങളും അവനിൽ പ്രകടമാകും.

Word by Word

• स्निग्ध: unctuous/smooth
• स्निग्ध: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (in compound)

• प्रसन्न: clear/pleasant
• प्रसन्न: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सद्/सद् धातोः)
• Form: (in compound) भूतकृदन्त (क्त)

• वक्रत्वम्: smooth and pleasant facial appearance (lit. ‘curvature/shape’)
• वक्रत्वम्: Karta/Predicate-noun (Symptom/लक्षण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (तद्धित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (त्व) = state; तत्पुरुष (स्निग्ध-प्रसन्न-वक्रत्वम् = state of having smooth/pleasant appearance)

• श्रीमत्: splendid/bright
• श्रीमत्: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (in compound)

• दर्शन: appearance/seeing
• दर्शन: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (in compound)

• नेत्रता: having bright, attractive eyes
• नेत्रता: Karta/Predicate-noun (Symptom/लक्षण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + ता (तद्धित)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (ता) = state/quality; तत्पुरुष (श्रीमत्-दर्शन-नेत्रता = having eyes with splendid appearance)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana/Temporal (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रम/अनन्तरार्थक

• अस्य: of him/of this (person)
• अस्य: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• क्षयरूपाणि: signs/forms of consumption
• क्षयरूपाणि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षय (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (क्षयस्य रूपाणि = forms/signs of consumption)

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• आविर्भवन्ति: manifest/appear
• आविर्भवन्ति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आविर् + भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Apparent well-being can precede decline; do not mistake transient brightness for permanence.

Vedantic Theme: Māyā-like fluctuation of appearances; anityatva and the need for pramāda-rahita (non-negligent) living.

Application: Do not delay duties, reconciliation, and spiritual practice because of temporary improvement; maintain steady care and awareness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.149 (kṣaya-rūpa signs culmination)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of recognizing ‘kṣaya-rūpa’ (signs of decline) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that observable changes in face and eyes can precede or accompany decline, prompting timely spiritual preparation, repentance, and dharmic conduct.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s discussion of the soul’s journey after death?

By pointing to pre-death indicators, it aligns with the text’s larger aim: preparing the individual and family for rites, remembrance of God, and right action before the soul’s post-death passage is described.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat signs of physical decline as a call to settle duties, reduce harm, increase prayer/charity, and live ethically—so one meets life’s end with clarity and dharmic readiness.