Shloka 26

Cikitsā-sāra: Doṣa Nidāna–Lakṣaṇa, Agni, Ajīrṇa/Āma Cikitsā, Daśamūla, and Prognostic Signs

Devanagari script

संसृष्टलक्षणोपेतो देशः साधारणः स्मृतः / बाल आ षोडशान्मध्यः सप्ततेर्वृद्ध उच्यते

Transliteration

saṃsṛṣṭalakṣaṇopeto deśaḥ sādhāraṇaḥ smṛtaḥ / bāla ā ṣoḍaśānmadhyaḥ saptatervṛddha ucyate

Translation

Một vùng (hay trạng thái thân thể) mang các dấu hiệu pha trộn được xem là “thông thường”. Người ta gọi là trẻ em cho đến mười sáu tuổi; sau đó là tuổi trung niên; và sau bảy mươi thì gọi là già.

Word by Word

• saṃsṛṣṭa-lakṣaṇa-upetaḥ: endowed with mixed characteristics
• saṃsṛṣṭa-lakṣaṇa-upetaḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier of deśaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃsṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, √sṛj/सृज्) + lakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + upeta (कृदन्त, √i/इ + upa)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (विशेषण-समासः); upetaḥ = भूतकृदन्त (क्त), ‘युक्त/समन्वित’

• deśaḥ: region/condition (state)
• deśaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• sādhāraṇaḥ: common/general
• sādhāraṇaḥ: Visheshana (of deśaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sādhāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• smṛtaḥ: is regarded (as)
• smṛtaḥ: Kriya (Predicate; passive participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (स्मृ) (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थः ‘is considered/said’

• bālaḥ: a child
• bālaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ā: up to
• ā: Avyaya (limit marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्ग/अव्यय-प्रयोगः ‘up to’ (सीमा-वाचक)

• ṣoḍaśāt: from (the age of) sixteen
• ṣoḍaśāt: Apadana/Limit (from)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣoḍaśa (प्रातिपदिक, संख्या)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (संख्याशब्दः), पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; अपादान/सीमा-निर्देशः ‘from sixteen’

• madhyaḥ: the middle-aged (person)
• madhyaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘middle-aged’ अर्थे नामवत्

• saptateḥ: of seventy (years)
• saptateḥ: Sambandha (genitive limit)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saptati (प्रातिपदिक, संख्या)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध/सीमा-निर्देशः ‘of seventy’ (i.e., up to seventy)

• vṛddhaḥ: an old person
• vṛddhaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-प्राय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ucyate: is called/said
• ucyate: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्) (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोगः, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper discernment (viveka) through classification of mixed conditions and age-stages for appropriate conduct and care.

Vedantic Theme: Deha as upadhi (conditioning adjunct); wise discrimination about prakriti-vikriti supports sattvic living.

Application: Use age thresholds and ‘mixed/common’ diagnosis to choose suitable regimen, responsibilities, and intensity of practices.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.168 (Ayurveda/physiology section): subsequent verses on doshas, therapies, and balance

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of age classification (bāla, madhya, vṛddha) in the Garuda Purana?

It sets a practical framework for choosing appropriate regimen and therapies according to life-stage, since strength and bodily balance vary with age.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This verse does not describe the soul’s journey; it focuses on embodied life—how human stages are defined for proper care of the body.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adapt diet, activity, and medical interventions to age: gentler care for children and elders, and balanced maintenance in midlife.