Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

तलं प्रत्यङ्गुलीनां यः कण्डरा बाहुपृष्ठतः / बाह्वोः कर्मक्षयकरी विपूची वेति सोच्यते

Transliteration

talaṃ pratyaṅgulīnāṃ yaḥ kaṇḍarā bāhupṛṣṭhataḥ / bāhvoḥ karmakṣayakarī vipūcī veti socyate

Translation

Ang litid na nasa likod ng bisig at nakakaugnay sa palad at sa likurang bahagi ng mga daliri—kapag napinsala, pinapahina nito ang kakayahang gumampan ng mga bisig; ito ang tinatawag na vipūcī.

Word by Word

• तलम्: palm/sole surface
• तलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• प्रति: towards; in relation to
• प्रति: Adverbial/Relation marker
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्ग/पूर्वसर्गभावे (prepositional adverb)

• अङ्गुलीनाम्: of the fingers
• अङ्गुलीनाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• यः: which; who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक सर्वनाम

• कण्डरा: tendon/sinew
• कण्डरा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्डरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• बाहुपृष्ठतः: from the back of the arm
• बाहुपृष्ठतः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बाहु-पृष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + तः (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; तः-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

• बाह्वोः: of the two arms
• बाह्वोः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), द्विवचन

• कर्मक्षयकरी: causing loss of function/action
• कर्मक्षयकरी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्म-क्षय-कर (प्रातिपदिक; कर = √कृ (धातु) + अण्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास; विशेषण

• विपूची: vipūcī (name of the condition/tendon)
• विपूची: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपूची (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक निपात (disjunctive particle)

• इति: thus
• इति: Discourse marker
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक (quotative particle)

• सocyate: is called; is said
• सocyate: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Correct naming and localization (vipūcī) of structures enables understanding of functional decline (karma-kṣaya) in limbs.

Vedantic Theme: Instrumentality of the body: functions depend on organized connections; knowledge discriminates parts and causes.

Application: When hand/finger-linked tendon pain or weakness appears along the arm-back, treat early; avoid repetitive strain; consult for tendon/joint care.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.166: vāta disorders affecting kandarā (tendons) and sandhi (joints); Parallel tendon/joint dysfunction descriptions in 1.166.43–44

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the vipūcī mentioned in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse, vipūcī is the name given to a specific tendon on the back of the arm connected to the palm and fingers; when afflicted, it reduces the arms’ ability to function.

How does this verse relate to karma in practical life?

By stating that an injury/affliction can cause “karma-kṣaya” (loss of capacity to act), it highlights that bodily health supports one’s ability to perform duties and righteous actions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Protect and strengthen the hands/arms (work tools of dharma and livelihood), and treat tendon issues early—because physical capability directly affects one’s daily responsibilities.