Roganidāna: Definitions, Fivefold Diagnostic Method, and Doṣa-wise Causes
रोगः पाप्मा ज्वरो व्याधिर्विकारो दुष्ट आमयः / यक्ष्मातङ्कगदा बाधाः शब्दाः पर्यायवाचिनः
rogaḥ pāpmā jvaro vyādhirvikāro duṣṭa āmayaḥ / yakṣmātaṅkagadā bādhāḥ śabdāḥ paryāyavācinaḥ
“疾病”亦名为 pāpmā(污浊侵蚀之苦)、jvara(热病/发热)、vyādhi(病患)、vikāra(变异之疾)、duṣṭa āmaya(恶性病)、yakṣmā(痨瘵/消耗病)、aṅka(苦迫)、gadā(病痛)与 bādhā(阻碍/折磨)——皆为同义之称。
Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Multiple synonyms point to facets of one phenomenon; accurate language reduces confusion in understanding suffering.
Vedantic Theme: Nāma–rūpa discernment: names vary while the referent is one; clarity in designation supports right knowledge.
Application: When discussing health, define terms and map synonyms to avoid miscommunication between practitioner and patient.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Ayurvedic chapters: lists of roga-bheda, doṣa, nidāna terminology
This verse standardizes key Sanskrit terms for illness—useful for interpreting later passages on causes, remedies, and dharmic responses to suffering.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; it functions as a definitional verse clarifying vocabulary about afflictions that may be discussed in ethical or ritual contexts.
When reading or citing the Garuda Purana, treat roga/jvara/vyādhi/vikāra/āmaya etc. as overlapping terms for illness, helping avoid mistranslation and improving clarity in study or teaching.