Cikitsā-sāra: Doṣa Nidāna–Lakṣaṇa, Agni, Ajīrṇa/Āma Cikitsā, Daśamūla, and Prognostic Signs
वामाक्षिमज्जनं जिह्वा श्यामा नासा विकारिणी / कृष्णौ स्थानच्युतौ चोष्ठौ कृष्णास्यं यस्यतं त्यजेत्
vāmākṣimajjanaṃ jihvā śyāmā nāsā vikāriṇī / kṛṣṇau sthānacyutau coṣṭhau kṛṣṇāsyaṃ yasyataṃ tyajet
ഇടതു കണ്ണ് കുഴിഞ്ഞുപോവുക, നാവ് കറുക്കുക, മൂക്ക് വികൃതമാവുക, ചുണ്ടുകൾ കറുത്ത് സ്ഥാനം തെറ്റുക എന്നിവ സംഭവിച്ചാൽ അവൻ മരണാസന്നനാണെന്ന് കരുതണം.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda in the Garuda Purana’s main dialogue)
Concept: Specific ominous changes (sunken left eye, dark tongue, distorted nose, black/displaced lips, blackened mouth) mark the approach of death.
Vedantic Theme: Body as perishable; signs of prana’s withdrawal; encourages detachment and readiness.
Application: Treat such signs as urgent indicators for care, family preparedness, and spiritual focus (mantra, reconciliation, settling duties).
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.168 (arishta-lakshana sequence)
They are described as arishta-lakshanas—observable indicators that the pranic vitality is failing and death may be imminent, urging spiritual and practical preparedness.
By indicating that as death approaches, the body shows specific changes; in Garuda Purana’s broader narrative this precedes the jiva’s separation from the gross body and entry into post-death states.
Alongside seeking urgent medical care for alarming symptoms, one can also focus on conscious dying practices—remembrance of God, forgiveness, charity, and settling obligations.