Shloka 33

Vāta-vyādhi Nidāna and Lakṣaṇa: Obstruction, Dhātu-Seating, and Major Neuromuscular Entities

Devanagari script

दन्तचालं स्वरभ्रंशः श्रुतिहानीक्षितग्रहौ / गन्धाज्ञानं स्मृतिध्वंसस्त्रासः श्वासश्च जायते

Transliteration

dantacālaṃ svarabhraṃśaḥ śrutihānīkṣitagrahau / gandhājñānaṃ smṛtidhvaṃsastrāsaḥ śvāsaśca jāyate

Translation

दन्तचालः स्वरभ्रंशः श्रुतिहानिः, दृष्टेर्ग्रहः; गन्धाज्ञानं स्मृतिध्वंसः, त्रासः श्वासश्च जायते।

Word by Word

• dantacālam: shaking of teeth
• dantacālam: Karta (Listed symptom/कर्ता-रूपेण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: danta-cāla (प्रातिपदिक; danta + cāla)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (determinative: ‘movement of teeth’)

• svarabhraṃśaḥ: loss/derangement of voice
• svarabhraṃśaḥ: Karta (Listed symptom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svara-bhraṃśa (प्रातिपदिक; svara + bhraṃśa)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘falling/derangement of voice’)

• śrutihānī: loss of hearing
• śrutihānī: Karta (Listed symptom; dual with next)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śruti-hāni (प्रातिपदिक; śruti + hāni)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-द्विवचन (Nominative, Dual); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘loss of hearing’)

• īkṣitagrahau: seizure/impairment of vision
• īkṣitagrahau: Karta (Listed symptom; dual with previous)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īkṣita-graha (प्रातिपदिक; īkṣita + graha)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-द्विवचन (Nominative, Dual); तत्पुरुष (‘seizure/impairment of sight/gaze’)

• gandhājñānam: loss of smell
• gandhājñānam: Karta (Listed symptom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha-ajñāna (प्रातिपदिक; gandha + ajñāna)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘non-recognition of smell’)

• smṛtidhvaṃsaḥ: loss of memory
• smṛtidhvaṃsaḥ: Karta (Listed symptom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: smṛti-dhvaṃsa (प्रातिपदिक; smṛti + dhvaṃsa)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘destruction of memory’)

• trāsaḥ: fear/tremor
• trāsaḥ: Karta (Listed symptom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• śvāsaḥ: breathlessness
• śvāsaḥ: Karta (Listed symptom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śvāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• jāyate: arises/occurs
• jāyate: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jan (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada)

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Systemic vāta pathology affects voice, hearing, smell, memory, and induces tremors, fear, and dyspnea—showing interconnectedness of prāṇa-vāyu and indriyas.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-vyāpāra is contingent; the self is distinct from fluctuating sensory/cognitive functions.

Application: Treat as urgent when multiple cranial/sensory signs appear; stabilize prāṇa (warmth, calm routine, gentle breathing practices under guidance) and seek medical evaluation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.166.32 (face/speech/eye signs); Garuda Purana 1.166.34 (pain, salivation, hemiparesis)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of recognizing death signs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists specific physical and sensory breakdowns (voice, hearing, smell, memory, breath) used as traditional indicators that life-force is weakening, prompting timely spiritual and ritual preparation.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

By describing failing senses and disturbed breath, the verse implies loosening of the embodied state—conditions that traditionally precede the jīva’s separation from the gross body and the transition toward the post-death path described elsewhere in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to prioritize dharma, settle duties, and engage in remembrance of God, mantra, and charity—without waiting for crisis—since bodily capacities can decline suddenly.