Shloka 15

Kuṣṭha-bheda-lakṣaṇa-nidāna and Śvitra (Kilāsa) Prognosis

Devanagari script

उदुम्बरफलाभासं कुष्ठमौदुम्बरं वदेत् / वर्तुलं बहुलकेत्युक्तं दाहरुजाधिकम्

Transliteration

udumbaraphalābhāsaṃ kuṣṭhamaudumbaraṃ vadet / vartulaṃ bahulaketyuktaṃ dāharujādhikam

Translation

โรคเรื้อนที่มีลักษณะคล้ายผลอุทุมพร (มะเดื่อพวง) เรียกว่า ‘เอาทุมพะระ’. กล่าวว่ามีรูปกลมและหนา และมีอาการแสบร้อนกับความปวดมากเป็นพิเศษ

Word by Word

• उदुम्बर: udumbara (fig tree)
• उदुम्बर: Upamana (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदुम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound; udumbara fig)

• फल: fruit
• फल: Upamana (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound)

• आभासम्: having the appearance
• आभासम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आभास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुष (फलस्य आभासः = fruit-like appearance)

• कुष्ठम्: leprosy/skin disease
• कुष्ठम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• औदुम्बरम्: udumbara-type
• औदुम्बरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: औदुम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (agreeing with कुष्ठम्)

• वदेत्: should call/say
• वदेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वर्तुलम्: round
• वर्तुलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्तुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• बहुलक: ‘bahulaka’ (abundant-type)
• बहुलक: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as quoted name/epithet)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-निपात (quotative particle)

• उक्तम्: is said/called
• उक्तम्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उक्त (कृदन्त; √वच् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विधेय (is said)

• दाह: burning
• दाह: Visheshya (Qualified noun/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound)

• रुजा: pain
• रुजा: Visheshya (Qualified noun/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रातिपदिक (as member in compound; pain)

• अधिकम्: more, excessive
• अधिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; समाहार/विशेषण (more/excess)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Upamāna (analogy) as a tool for knowledge: natural forms help recognize disease types and respond appropriately.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa-vicāra (means of knowledge): perception aided by comparison; prakṛti as pedagogical mirror.

Application: Identify audumbara-type lesions by udumbara-like appearance (round, thick) and prioritize measures to address burning and pain; avoid heat/aggravating factors.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.164.13-14 (other kuṣṭha signs/types)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Udumbara (tree/fruit)

FAQs

Why does the Garuda Purana compare a disease to udumbara fruit?

The comparison provides a concrete visual marker—fruit-like appearance—so the ‘audumbara’ type of kuṣṭha can be recognized by its rounded, thick lesions with strong burning pain.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on karma?

By cataloging bodily afflictions precisely, the text reinforces its wider doctrine that embodied conditions can be consequences of prior actions, encouraging moral restraint and purification.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the teaching to deepen empathy and ethical living; if such symptoms occur, seek medical help promptly while maintaining prayer, charity, and disciplined conduct.