Shloka 12

Devanagari script

बस्तिनेत्रगलौष्ठोत्थतलभेदादिघट्टनात् / भृशशीताम्बुसंस्पर्शप्रततातिप्रवाहणात्

Transliteration

bastinetragalauṣṭhotthatalabhedādighaṭṭanāt / bhṛśaśītāmbusaṃsparśapratatātipravāhaṇāt

Translation

ബസ്തി, നേത്രം, ഗളം, ഓഷ്ഠം എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിൽ ഉണ്ടായ പിളർപ്പുകളും ചുളിവുകളും മുതലായവ മൂലമുള്ള ഘർഷണ-ആഘാതം കൊണ്ടും, അത്യന്തം തണുത്ത വെള്ളത്തിന്റെ നിരന്തരധാര വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും സ്പർശിക്കുന്നതുകൊണ്ടും അത്യധികം വേദന അനുഭവപ്പെടുന്നു।

Word by Word

• बस्तिनेत्रगलौष्ठोत्थतलभेदादिघट्टनात्: from friction/irritation etc. due to lesions arising in bladder, eye, throat, and lip
• बस्तिनेत्रगलौष्ठोत्थतलभेदादिघट्टनात्: Apadana (Source/Cause/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बस्ति + नेत्र + गल + ओष्ठ + उत्थ + तल + भेद + आदि + घट्टन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; बहु-तत्पुरुष: ‘from rubbing/irritation etc. due to splitting/lesions of the surface arising in bladder/eye/throat/lip’; हेत्वर्थ पञ्चमी

• भृशशीताम्बुसंस्पर्शप्रततातिप्रवाहणात्: from excessive continuous discharge caused by contact with very cold water
• भृशशीताम्बुसंस्पर्शप्रततातिप्रवाहणात्: Apadana (Source/Cause/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृश + शीत + अम्बु + संस्पर्श + प्रतत + अति + प्रवाहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; बहु-तत्पुरुष: ‘from excessive continuous flow due to contact with very cold water’; हेत्वर्थ पञ्चमी

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Avoidance of harmful exposures and mechanical irritation is part of right conduct; negligence intensifies suffering.

Vedantic Theme: Duhkha as a consequence of contact (sparśa) and conditions; mindful regulation of environment reduces affliction.

Application: Prevent chafing and treat fissures/abrasions; avoid prolonged exposure to extremely cold running water; protect vulnerable organs and maintain warmth.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.156.10-11 (causes of doṣa aggravation and lifestyle provocations)

Characters & Entities

• Yama
• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of describing cold-water torment in the Garuda Purana?

This verse illustrates how specific karmic consequences are experienced as concrete bodily-like pains in Yama’s realm, emphasizing that actions produce precise results and should be restrained by dharma.

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

Within the Preta Kanda narrative, the departed being (preta) is shown undergoing punitive experiences in Yama’s domain; the sufferings are portrayed as sensory and continuous, reinforcing the moral causality governing the post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with self-control and ethical discipline, avoid harmful conduct that leads to severe karmic results, and support dharmic death-related observances (e.g., śrāddha/pinda-dāna) with sincerity and right living.