Shloka 50
रुक्पादविषमन्यस्ते श्रमाद्वा जायते यदा / वातेन गुल्फमाक्षित्य तमाहुर्वातकण्टकम्
rukpādaviṣamanyaste śramādvā jāyate yadā / vātena gulphamākṣitya tamāhurvātakaṇṭakam
เมื่อวางเท้าไม่เสมอหรือเพราะความเหนื่อยล้าแล้วเกิดปวด และวาตะเข้ากำเริบที่ข้อเท้า—ภาวะนี้เรียกว่า “วาตะ-กันฏกะ” คือ ‘หนามแห่งวาตะ’
Lord Vishnu (continuing the didactic list to Garuda)
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Vāta aggravation can localize in the ankle (gulpha) after uneven foot placement or exertion, producing pain termed vāta-kaṇṭaka.
Vedantic Theme: Kārya-kāraṇa in the body: specific causes yield specific effects; mindful action reduces avoidable duḥkha.
Application: Prevent ankle vāta pain by mindful gait, avoiding overexertion, proper footwear/support, warm-up, and early rest/warm fomentation when pain begins.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.166: localized vāta disorders and nomenclature (vāta-kaṇṭaka)
FAQs
It identifies a recognizable pain syndrome of the ankle triggered by misstep or overexertion, framed as vāta seizing the joint and producing ‘thorn-like’ pain.
It does not address the afterlife; it contributes to Garuda Purana’s practical instruction on bodily suffering and its recognizable causes in vāta theory.
If ankle pain follows a misstep or strain, rest and proper assessment are prudent; persistent or severe pain should be evaluated to rule out sprain, fracture, or inflammatory conditions.