Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

संसृष्टलक्षणोपेतो देशः साधारणः स्मृतः / बाल आ षोडशान्मध्यः सप्ततेर्वृद्ध उच्यते

Transliteration

saṃsṛṣṭalakṣaṇopeto deśaḥ sādhāraṇaḥ smṛtaḥ / bāla ā ṣoḍaśānmadhyaḥ saptatervṛddha ucyate

Translation

ମିଶ୍ର ଲକ୍ଷଣଯୁକ୍ତ ଦେଶ (କିମ୍ବା ଦେହାବସ୍ଥା) ‘ସାଧାରଣ’ ବୋଲି ସ୍ମୃତ। ଷୋଳ ବର୍ଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ବାଳ; ତା’ପରେ ମଧ୍ୟବୟସ; ସତର ପରେ ବୃଦ୍ଧ କୁହାଯାଏ।

Word by Word

• saṃsṛṣṭa-lakṣaṇa-upetaḥ: endowed with mixed characteristics
• saṃsṛṣṭa-lakṣaṇa-upetaḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier of deśaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃsṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, √sṛj/सृज्) + lakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + upeta (कृदन्त, √i/इ + upa)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (विशेषण-समासः); upetaḥ = भूतकृदन्त (क्त), ‘युक्त/समन्वित’

• deśaḥ: region/condition (state)
• deśaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• sādhāraṇaḥ: common/general
• sādhāraṇaḥ: Visheshana (of deśaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sādhāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• smṛtaḥ: is regarded (as)
• smṛtaḥ: Kriya (Predicate; passive participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (स्मृ) (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थः ‘is considered/said’

• bālaḥ: a child
• bālaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ā: up to
• ā: Avyaya (limit marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्ग/अव्यय-प्रयोगः ‘up to’ (सीमा-वाचक)

• ṣoḍaśāt: from (the age of) sixteen
• ṣoḍaśāt: Apadana/Limit (from)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣoḍaśa (प्रातिपदिक, संख्या)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (संख्याशब्दः), पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; अपादान/सीमा-निर्देशः ‘from sixteen’

• madhyaḥ: the middle-aged (person)
• madhyaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘middle-aged’ अर्थे नामवत्

• saptateḥ: of seventy (years)
• saptateḥ: Sambandha (genitive limit)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saptati (प्रातिपदिक, संख्या)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध/सीमा-निर्देशः ‘of seventy’ (i.e., up to seventy)

• vṛddhaḥ: an old person
• vṛddhaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-प्राय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ucyate: is called/said
• ucyate: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्) (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोगः, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper discernment (viveka) through classification of mixed conditions and age-stages for appropriate conduct and care.

Vedantic Theme: Deha as upadhi (conditioning adjunct); wise discrimination about prakriti-vikriti supports sattvic living.

Application: Use age thresholds and ‘mixed/common’ diagnosis to choose suitable regimen, responsibilities, and intensity of practices.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.168 (Ayurveda/physiology section): subsequent verses on doshas, therapies, and balance

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of age classification (bāla, madhya, vṛddha) in the Garuda Purana?

It sets a practical framework for choosing appropriate regimen and therapies according to life-stage, since strength and bodily balance vary with age.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This verse does not describe the soul’s journey; it focuses on embodied life—how human stages are defined for proper care of the body.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adapt diet, activity, and medical interventions to age: gentler care for children and elders, and balanced maintenance in midlife.