Shloka 47

Vidradhi–Gulma Nidāna

Causes and Signs of Abscess and Abdominal Mass

Devanagari script

गुल्मो गभीरः कठिनो गुरुर्गर्भस्थबालवत् / स्वस्थानस्था अधावन्तस्तत एवात्र मारकाः

Transliteration

gulmo gabhīraḥ kaṭhino gururgarbhasthabālavat / svasthānasthā adhāvantastata evātra mārakāḥ

Translation

Gulma (ketulan dalam perut yang berakar dalam) itu mendalam, keras dan berat—seperti janin yang berada di dalam rahim. Walau tetap pada tempatnya, namun seakan ‘berlari’ (merebak) dari situ; maka dalam konteks ini ia menjadi membawa maut.

Word by Word

• गुल्मः: abdominal tumor/mass (gulma)
• गुल्मः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुल्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• गभीरः: deep-seated
• गभीरः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गभीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गुल्मस्य)

• कठिनः: hard
• कठिनः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कठिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• गुरुः: heavy
• गुरुः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• गर्भस्थ: situated in the womb
• गर्भस्थ: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (गर्भे स्थितः); प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• बालवत्: like a child
• बालवत्: Visheshana (Simile/उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: वत्-प्रत्ययान्त; अव्ययवत्-प्रयोगः (उपमान-निर्देशः); प्रथमा-एकवचन-तुल्य-विशेषणम्

• स्वस्थानस्थाः: remaining in their own place
• स्वस्थानस्थाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (स्वस्थाने स्थिताः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अधावन्तः: running about / moving
• अधावन्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धाव् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमा-पुरुष, बहुवचन; ‘अधावन्तः’ = धावन्तः (वर्तमान-कृदन्त-प्रायः प्रयोगः)

• ततः: therefore/from that
• ततः: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्-अर्थे (ablatival adverb)

• एव: indeed, just
• एव: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis)

• अत्र: here/in this case
• अत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• मारकाः: fatal, killing
• मारकाः: Karta (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (गुल्माः/दोषाः इत्यादि)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gulma can be localized yet disseminating; understanding its nature prevents delay and fatal outcomes.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāda (negligence) toward the body’s signals leads to suffering; vigilance supports steadiness of mind.

Application: Treat abdominal masses early; do not ignore deep, hard, heavy swellings; seek diagnosis before systemic spread.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.160 (gulma-prakaraṇa: definition and prognosis cues)

Characters & Entities

• Gulma

FAQs

What is the importance of gulma in the Garuda Purana?

Gulma is presented as a serious, deep and hard abdominal condition; the verse highlights its heaviness and dangerous tendency to spread, indicating a grave prognosis.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead it teaches discernment about severe illness—reminding that embodied life is fragile and should be used for dharma and spiritual preparation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

A persistent, hard, deep abdominal lump with heaviness is a red-flag symptom—treat it as urgent and seek qualified medical evaluation (Ayurvedic and/or modern) rather than delaying.