Shloka 16

Cikitsā-sāra: Doṣa Nidāna–Lakṣaṇa, Agni, Ajīrṇa/Āma Cikitsā, Daśamūla, and Prognostic Signs

Devanagari script

वायुः शीतो लघुः सूक्ष्मः स्वरनाशीस्थिरो बली / पित्तमम्लकटूष्णञ्चापङ्क्ती रोगकारणम्

Transliteration

vāyuḥ śīto laghuḥ sūkṣmaḥ svaranāśīsthiro balī / pittamamlakaṭūṣṇañcāpaṅktī rogakāraṇam

Translation

വായു ശീതളവും ലഘുവും സൂക്ഷ്മവും; സ്വരനാശകനും ചഞ്ചലനും ബലവാനും. പിത്തം അമ്ലവും കടുവും ഉഷ്ണവും; അത് അനിയമമായി മാറി രോഗകാരണമാകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• vāyuḥ: vāyu (wind principle)
• vāyuḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (masculine, nominative singular)

• śītaḥ: cold
• śītaḥ: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (masculine, nominative singular; qualifying vāyuḥ)

• laghuḥ: light
• laghuḥ: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: laghu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (masculine, nominative singular)

• sūkṣmaḥ: subtle
• sūkṣmaḥ: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūkṣma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (masculine, nominative singular)

• svaranāśī: voice-destroying
• svaranāśī: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svara + nāśin (प्रातिपदिक; नाशिन् from नश्/नाश्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (masculine, nominative singular; ‘destroyer of voice’)

• sthiraḥ: stable
• sthiraḥ: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (masculine, nominative singular)

• balī: strong
• balī: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: balin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (masculine, nominative singular)

• pittam: pitta (bile principle)
• pittam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (neuter, nominative singular)

• amla: sour
• amla: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter, nominative singular; qualifying pittam)

• kaṭu: pungent
• kaṭu: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṭu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter, nominative singular)

• uṣṇam: hot
• uṣṇam: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter, nominative singular)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• apaṅktī: irregular, disorderly
• apaṅktī: Karta (Subject-Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-paṅkti (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-पूर्वक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter, nominative singular; ‘irregular/without order’)

• rogakāraṇam: cause of disease
• rogakāraṇam: Karta (Subject-Complement/कर्ता-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: roga + kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (neuter, nominative singular; predicate)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata/Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Doṣa-guṇas: vāta is cold/light/subtle and destabilizing; pitta is sour/pungent/hot and can become pathogenic when irregular.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-dharma recognition: knowing the qualities of forces allows skillful regulation; mastery of the instrument supports steadiness of mind.

Application: Identify vāta aggravation by coldness/lightness/instability and voice issues; identify pitta by heat, sour/pungent tendencies and irregularity; tailor diet and routine accordingly (warming/oiling for vāta; cooling/soothing for pitta).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.168.12 (kapha signs); Garuda Purana 1.168.14 (balance vs imbalance); Garuda Purana 1.168.15 (doṣa list)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of describing vāta and pitta qualities in the Garuda Purana?

By listing their guṇas (qualities), the text explains how imbalance manifests as illness, linking ethical and disciplined living with bodily harmony.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It emphasizes the instability and heat of bodily forces, reinforcing that the body is changeable and prone to suffering—encouraging detachment and spiritual focus beyond physical conditions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Notice vāta-like (cold, light, unstable) or pitta-like (hot, sharp) tendencies and adopt balancing diet, routine, and conduct to reduce disease and support steady sādhana.