Shloka 1
Arocaka (Loss of Appetite): Nidāna, Doṣa-Lakṣaṇa, and Doṣaja Vomiting (Chardi) Markers
द्विपञ्चाशदुत्तरशततमो ऽध्यायः धन्वन्तरिरुदाच / अरोचकनिदान्ते वक्ष्ये ऽहं सुश्रुताधुना / अरोचको भवेद्दोषैर्जिह्वाहृदयसंश्रयैः
dvipañcāśaduttaraśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ dhanvantarirudāca / arocakanidānte vakṣye 'haṃ suśrutādhunā / arocako bhaveddoṣairjihvāhṛdayasaṃśrayaiḥ
धन्वन्तरिरुवाच—अरोचकनिदानान्ते वक्ष्येऽहं सुश्रुताधुना। दोषैर्जिह्वाहृदयसंश्रयैः अरोचको भवति॥
Dhanvantari
Dosha: Vata/Pitta/Kapha
Concept: Nidāna (etiology) and lakṣaṇa (features) of arocaka are explained; doṣas lodged in tongue and hṛdaya-region disturb appetite and taste.
Vedantic Theme: Mind-body linkage: manas and prāṇa operate within prakṛti; discernment of causes reduces suffering.
Application: Assess loss of appetite by examining tongue, taste, chest/heart-region sensations, and doṣic signs; treat root causes rather than only symptoms.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.152 (preceding doṣa-lakṣaṇa and kṣaya discussion); Garuda Purana 1.153.2 (taste changes and mental factors)
FAQs
This verse introduces Dhanvantari’s Ayurvedic teaching that appetite loss is a doṣa-based disorder, framed through classical nidāna (etiology), making the Garuda Purana a source not only of dharma but also traditional medical guidance.
It states that arocaka occurs when the doṣas become disturbed and localize in the tongue and the heart-region, disrupting taste, desire for food, and the internal regulation of digestion.
Treat persistent appetite loss as a systemic imbalance rather than only a food preference issue—support digestion and taste function, and seek appropriate Ayurvedic assessment for doṣa involvement.