Shloka 5

Aśva–Gaja Āyurveda: Marks, Defects, Wounds, Doṣa-Therapy, and Protective Rites

Devanagari script

असंहता ये च वाहा ह्रस्वकर्णास्तथैव च / शबलाभाः प्रभावेषु न दीनाश्चिरजीविनः

Transliteration

asaṃhatā ye ca vāhā hrasvakarṇāstathaiva ca / śabalābhāḥ prabhāveṣu na dīnāścirajīvinaḥ

Translation

جو سواری/واہن مضبوط اور خوب جُڑے ہوئے ہوں، جن کے کان چھوٹے ہوں اور رنگ چتکبرا ہو—وہ اپنے دائرۂ اثر میں طاقتور ہوتے ہیں، ذلیل نہیں ہوتے اور دراز عمر پاتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• असंहताः: not well-knit; loose-built
• असंहताः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ- (नञ्) + संहत (कृदन्त; √हन्/√हन्? here ‘संहन्/संहृ’ sense ‘compact’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; नञ्-समास/नकारार्थ: ‘not compact/ill-knit’

• ये: who/which
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक (relative pronoun)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• वाहाः: mounts/steeds
• वाहाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ह्रस्वकर्णाः: short-eared
• ह्रस्वकर्णाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ह्रस्व (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘ह्रस्वाः कर्णाः येषाम्’ (short-eared)

• तथा: thus/also
• तथा: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): ‘in that manner/also’

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात

• च: and
• च: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• शबलाभाः: dappled in appearance
• शबलाभाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शबल (प्रातिपदिक) + आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘शबला आभा येषाम्’ (dappled-colored)

• प्रभावेषु: in their vigor/strength/effects
• प्रभावेषु: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-निपात (negation particle)

• दीनाः: weak/dejected
• दीनाः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• चिरजीविनः: long-lived
• चिरजीविनः: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चिर (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + जीविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘चिरं जीवति’ (long-living)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious characteristics (lakṣaṇa) and the link between sound constitution and favorable outcomes.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva expressed as harmony and integrity of form; orderly living supports well-being.

Application: Choose reliable, well-built supports (vehicles, tools, habits); cultivate ‘well-knit’ routines for resilience and longevity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: lakṣaṇa/omen sections on animals and conveyances (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of auspicious signs (lakṣaṇas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats physical and qualitative markers—soundness, specific features, and radiance—as indicators of strength and well-being, contrasting them with misery; such lakṣaṇas are used to understand the condition of the post-death journey.

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

By describing the qualities of the soul’s associated conveyance/vehicle, it implies that the post-death passage is experienced with varying degrees of power and distress, depending on one’s condition and karmic momentum.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live in a way that cultivates steadiness and clarity—ethical conduct, restraint, and sincere rites for ancestors—so the after-death transition is envisioned as supported rather than afflicted.