Cikitsā-sāra: Doṣa Nidāna–Lakṣaṇa, Agni, Ajīrṇa/Āma Cikitsā, Daśamūla, and Prognostic Signs
वामाक्षिमज्जनं जिह्वा श्यामा नासा विकारिणी / कृष्णौ स्थानच्युतौ चोष्ठौ कृष्णास्यं यस्यतं त्यजेत्
vāmākṣimajjanaṃ jihvā śyāmā nāsā vikāriṇī / kṛṣṇau sthānacyutau coṣṭhau kṛṣṇāsyaṃ yasyataṃ tyajet
ఎడమ కన్ను లోపలికి పోయి, నాలుక నల్లబడి, ముక్కు వికారంగా మారి, పెదవులు నల్లగా స్థానభ్రంశం చెందితే, ఆ వ్యక్తిని మరణానికి దగ్గరగా ఉన్నవానిగా భావించాలి.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda in the Garuda Purana’s main dialogue)
Concept: Specific ominous changes (sunken left eye, dark tongue, distorted nose, black/displaced lips, blackened mouth) mark the approach of death.
Vedantic Theme: Body as perishable; signs of prana’s withdrawal; encourages detachment and readiness.
Application: Treat such signs as urgent indicators for care, family preparedness, and spiritual focus (mantra, reconciliation, settling duties).
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.168 (arishta-lakshana sequence)
They are described as arishta-lakshanas—observable indicators that the pranic vitality is failing and death may be imminent, urging spiritual and practical preparedness.
By indicating that as death approaches, the body shows specific changes; in Garuda Purana’s broader narrative this precedes the jiva’s separation from the gross body and entry into post-death states.
Alongside seeking urgent medical care for alarming symptoms, one can also focus on conscious dying practices—remembrance of God, forgiveness, charity, and settling obligations.