Shloka 21

Kāsa-bheda: The Fivefold Classification of Cough and Its Clinical Signs

Devanagari script

कासश्वासक्षयच्छर्दिस्वरसादादयो गदाः / भवन्त्युपेक्षया यस्मात्तस्मात्तास्त्वरया जयेत्

Transliteration

kāsaśvāsakṣayacchardisvarasādādayo gadāḥ / bhavantyupekṣayā yasmāttasmāttāstvarayā jayet

Translation

Batuk, sesak nafas, kṣaya (penyusutan), muntah, suara hilang dan penyakit-penyakit lain timbul kerana diabaikan; maka hendaklah semuanya ditundukkan dengan segera.

Word by Word

• kāsa-śvāsa-kṣaya-chardi-svara-sāda-ādayaḥ: cough, dyspnea, wasting, vomiting, voice-failure, debility, etc.
• kāsa-śvāsa-kṣaya-chardi-svara-sāda-ādayaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāsa (प्रातिपदिक) + śvāsa (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣaya (प्रातिपदिक) + chardi (प्रातिपदिक) + svara (प्रातिपदिक) + sāda (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (enumerative compound) + ‘ādi’ (etc.)

• gadāḥ: diseases
• gadāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• bhavanti: arise/occur
• bhavanti: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• upekṣayā: by neglect
• upekṣayā: Karana/Hetu (Instrument/Cause/करण-हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upekṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण/हेतु-भाव (by neglect; instrumental of cause/manner)

• yasmāt: because (from which reason)
• yasmāt: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम (relative: from which/because)

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu/Apadana (Therefore-from-that/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; तस्मात्-तत् (therefore)

• tāḥ: those (diseases)
• tāḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• tvarayā: quickly
• tvarayā: Karana (Instrument/Manner/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvarā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थ (with speed; instrumental of manner)

• jayet: should conquer/overcome
• jayet: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ji (जि धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aparamāda (non-neglect): diseases proliferate through upēkṣā (carelessness); prompt action prevents escalation.

Vedantic Theme: Avidyā-like negligence magnifies duḥkha; mindful action reduces suffering in embodied existence.

Application: Seek early intervention for respiratory and wasting disorders; do not normalize symptoms; adhere to regimen and follow-up.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.150.1-2 (śvāsa nidāna; respiratory cascade)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of timely treatment in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that ailments become established due to neglect, so prompt effort to overcome them is a dharmic form of self-care and responsibility.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

Within the Vishnu–Garuda instruction style, it emphasizes practical discipline: do not ignore early signs of disorder; address them quickly to prevent escalation—an ethic that complements the text’s wider stress on right conduct and preparedness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not postpone care for persistent cough, breathlessness, wasting, vomiting, or voice loss; seek timely diagnosis and corrective regimen, treating health maintenance as part of daily duty.