Shloka 24
Jvara-Nidāna-Lakṣaṇa: Causes, Doṣic Types, Āma/Nirāma Stages, and Prognosis of Fever
आगन्तुरभिगाताभिषङ्गशापाभिचारतः / चतुर्धा तु कृतः स्वेदो दाहाद्यैरभिघातजः
āganturabhigātābhiṣaṅgaśāpābhicārataḥ / caturdhā tu kṛtaḥ svedo dāhādyairabhighātajaḥ
आगन्तुककारणैः स्वेदश्चतुर्धा परिकीर्तितः—अभिघातात्, अभिषङ्गात्, शापात्, अभिचारतः। स च दाहाद्यैरुपलक्षितोऽभिघातजः।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Āgantuka (externally caused) sweating is fourfold: from assault/injury (abhigāta), affliction by contact (abhiṣaṅga), curse (śāpa), and hostile sorcery (abhicāra), typically with burning and related symptoms.
Vedantic Theme: Distinguishing internal (ādhyātmika/doṣaja) from external (āgantuka) causation—right knowledge as the basis of right response.
Application: In assessment, consider non-doṣaja triggers (trauma, toxic exposure, psychosocial/ritual fear contexts); choose interventions appropriate to cause (wound care, avoidance, reassurance, ritual/psychological support where culturally relevant).
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.147: āgantuka causes continue into the next verses (exertion, possession, poison, emotions)
FAQs
This verse treats sweating as a diagnostic sign, distinguishing externally-caused afflictions—injury, contact-based affliction, curse, and sorcery—so one can understand the nature of suffering and respond appropriately.
It places curse and hostile rites alongside physical injury as real causal categories for distress, indicating that suffering may have non-physical origins that manifest through bodily symptoms such as burning and sweating.
Use it as a reminder to investigate both physical and ethical/relational causes of distress—address injury medically, reduce harmful associations, and cultivate protective dharma (truthfulness, prayer, disciplined conduct) rather than fear-based superstition.