Shloka 18
Vāta-vyādhi Nidāna and Lakṣaṇa: Obstruction, Dhātu-Seating, and Major Neuromuscular Entities
सक्षिपेत्परितो गात्रं हनुं वा चास्य नामयत् / कृच्छ्रादुच्छ्वसितं चापि निमीलन्नयनद्वयम्
sakṣipetparito gātraṃ hanuṃ vā cāsya nāmayat / kṛcchrāducchvasitaṃ cāpi nimīlannayanadvayam
Dia menyentak dan membuang anggota badannya, memusingkan rahangnya ke tepi, bernafas dengan susah payah, dan menutup kedua-dua matanya—tanda-tanda kesengsaraan yang teruk di akhir hayat.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Severe distress signs near death: limb-throwing, jaw deviation, labored breathing, and closing eyes—markers of prāṇa instability as life wanes.
Vedantic Theme: Anitya of prāṇa and body; the dying process reveals the separability of consciousness from failing instruments.
Application: Provide calm, non-restraining support; ensure airway/breath comfort; prepare family for end-of-life; facilitate a peaceful mental focus (smaraṇa) if culturally appropriate.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa themes broadly: antya-kāla importance and signs preceding departure (conceptual continuity, though this verse is medical/clinical)
FAQs
This verse lists observable end-of-life distress signs, helping families recognize the transition and focus on dharmic support such as prayer, remembrance, and proper rites.
By emphasizing bodily instability and difficult breathing, it frames death as a moment when the embodied condition weakens, preparing the background for the jīva’s departure and post-death journey described elsewhere in the text.
When such signs appear, reduce agitation, keep the environment calm, and prioritize spiritual remembrance and timely ritual arrangements rather than panic.