Shloka 5

Madātyaya Nidāna and Lakṣaṇa: Liquor’s Qualities, Tridoṣa Presentations, and Fainting Signs

Devanagari script

दुर्विकल्पहतो मूढः सुखमित्यभिमुच्यते / मध्यमोत्तमयोः सन्धिं प्राप्य राजासनो मदः

Transliteration

durvikalpahato mūḍhaḥ sukhamityabhimucyate / madhyamottamayoḥ sandhiṃ prāpya rājāsano madaḥ

Translation

ദുർവികൽപ്പങ്ങളാൽ തകർന്ന മൂഢൻ അതിനെ തന്നെയാണ് ‘സുഖം’ എന്നു കരുതി പിടിച്ചുനിൽക്കുന്നു. മധ്യമവും ഉത്തമവും എന്ന നിലകളുടെ സംഗമത്തിലെത്തുമ്പോൾ രാജാസനജന്യമായ മദം (അഹങ്കാരം) ഉദിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• दुर्विकल्पहतः: struck by confused/bad thoughts
• दुर्विकल्पहतः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर् + विकल्प + हत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः/कर्मधारयभावः — 'struck by bad imaginings'

• मूढः: the deluded person
• मूढः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; कर्ता

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; कर्म (as object of 'thinks/attains')

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/इत्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• अभिमुच्यते: is carried away / is released (into)
• अभिमुच्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + √मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः — 'is released/lets oneself go toward'

• मध्यमोत्तमयोः: of the middle and the highest
• मध्यमोत्तमयोः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मध्यम + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वः — 'of the middle and the best (stages)'

• सन्धिम्: junction / transition
• सन्धिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; कर्म

• प्राप्य: having reached
• प्राप्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्र + √आप् (धातु) → प्राप्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययीभाव (gerund/absolutive) — 'having reached'

• राजासनः: (like) a royal seat / throne
• राजासनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राज + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राज्ञः आसनम्) — 'royal seat/throne-like'

• मदः: intoxication
• मदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; कर्ता/वर्ण्यः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Perverse imagination (durvikalpa) makes one cling to harmful pleasure; power/status breeds a refined intoxication.

Vedantic Theme: Avidya projecting sukha onto objects (adhyasa); ahankara strengthened by rajas leading to bondage.

Application: Cultivate humility and self-audit when gaining authority; practice dana and seva to counter pride; seek counsel and scriptural reflection.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: court/throne (symbolic)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana moral psychology of mada (intoxication) progressing from gross to subtle forms

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of recognizing false happiness in the Garuda Purana?

This verse warns that ‘happiness’ can be a projection born of wrong notions; recognizing this prevents attachment that fuels further karma and bondage.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in terms of karma and mental states?

It highlights how inner delusion and pride—especially from status and power—shape one’s choices and thus the karmic trajectory, obstructing movement toward higher, clearer states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat pleasure and status as temporary; practice humility and discernment so pride (mada) does not distort judgment or ethics.