Shloka 66

Jvara-Nidāna-Lakṣaṇa: Causes, Doṣic Types, Āma/Nirāma Stages, and Prognosis of Fever

Devanagari script

विषमो विषमारम्भः क्षपाकालानुसारवान् / यथोत्तरं मन्दगतिर्मन्दशक्तिर्यथायथम्

Transliteration

viṣamo viṣamārambhaḥ kṣapākālānusāravān / yathottaraṃ mandagatirmandaśaktiryathāyatham

Translation

ఇది అసమంగా, కష్టంగా ప్రారంభమవుతుంది; రాత్రుల కాలానుసారం సాగుతుంది. ముందుకు సాగేకొద్దీ గతి మందగిస్తుంది, శక్తి కూడా క్రమంగా తగ్గుతుంది.

Word by Word

• विषमः: irregular
• विषमः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; (विषमारम्भः इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• विषमारम्भः: irregular onset
• विषमारम्भः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विषम + आरम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; समासः कर्मधारय (‘irregular onset’)

• क्षपाकालानुसारवान्: following the time of night
• क्षपाकालानुसारवान्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षपा + काल + अनुसार + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; समासः तत्पुरुष (‘having conformity to night-time’) + वत्-प्रत्यय (possessive)

• यथोत्तरम्: progressively/in sequence
• यथोत्तरम्: Prakaraṇa (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + उत्तरम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): ‘in due order/accordingly, progressively’

• मन्दगतिः: slow course
• मन्दगतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्द + गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; समासः कर्मधारय (‘slow movement/course’)

• मन्दशक्तिः: weak strength
• मन्दशक्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्द + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; समासः कर्मधारय (‘weak power/strength’)

• यथायथम्: accordingly/as the case may be
• यथायथम्: Prakaraṇa (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + यथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): ‘as and as/according to the respective condition’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Disease course is viṣama (irregular) and tracks nocturnal cycles; over time, vitality wanes and progression slows—highlighting the importance of observing temporal patterns.

Vedantic Theme: Kāla (time) as a governing factor in embodied change; patient steadiness amid fluctuation.

Application: Monitor symptoms across nights; prioritize sleep and circadian regularity; adjust care as strength declines; seek help if progressive weakness continues.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.147 (jvara-gati and kāla-anusāra)

FAQs

What is the importance of the preta’s difficult journey in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that the post-death passage is inherently arduous and progressively draining, underscoring why the text treats the departed’s condition as vulnerable and in need of support.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It portrays the journey as unfolding with time (night by night), where the traveler’s pace slows and strength diminishes in stages—suggesting a gradual, taxing progression rather than an effortless transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages compassionate responsibility toward ancestors—performing prescribed remembrance/śrāddha with sincerity—and also motivates ethical living, since one’s condition after death is described as fragile and affected by prior conduct.