Shloka 15

Śvāsa-nidāna: Etiology, Types, Symptom Progression, and Fatal Prognosis

Devanagari script

प्रनष्टज्ञानविज्ञानो विभ्रान्तनयनाननः / नेत्रे समाक्षिपन्बद्धमूत्रवर्चा विशीर्णवाक्

Transliteration

pranaṣṭajñānavijñāno vibhrāntanayanānanaḥ / netre samākṣipanbaddhamūtravarcā viśīrṇavāk

Translation

知识与辨别尽失，眼与面皆迷乱惶惑；双目上翻；小便与大便闭塞不通；言语破碎、渐趋衰竭——临终之人便现此相。

Word by Word

• प्रनष्टज्ञानविज्ञानः: whose knowledge and discernment are lost
• प्रनष्टज्ञानविज्ञानः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रनष्ट (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + विज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्रनष्टे ज्ञानविज्ञाने यस्य)

• विभ्रान्तनयनाननः: with bewildered eyes and face
• विभ्रान्तनयनाननः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विभ्रान्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + नयन (प्रातिपदिक) + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समाहार/इतरेतर (नयनम् आननं च) तत् ‘विभ्रान्त’ इति विशेषणेन

• नेत्रे: the two eyes
• नेत्रे: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन; (कर्म)

• समाक्षिपन्: rolling/jerking (them) about
• समाक्षिपन्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + आ + क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘समाक्षिपन्’ = सम्यक्/सहसा आक्षिपन् (rolling/throwing about)

• बद्धमूत्रवर्चाः: with urine and feces obstructed
• बद्धमूत्रवर्चाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बद्ध (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + मूत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्चस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्वः (मूत्रं वर्चश्च) ‘बद्ध’ इति विशेषणेन; ‘बद्ध’ = अवरुद्ध/न निष्क्रामत्

• विशीर्णवाक्: with broken speech
• विशीर्णवाक्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + शीर्ण (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (विशीर्णा वाक् यस्य); ‘वाक्’ प्रातिपदिक ‘वाच्’ (स्त्री) परन्तु बहुव्रीहौ पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Buddhi and vijñāna tied to the body can fail; the witnessing Self is distinct from these changing faculties.

Vedantic Theme: Dṛg-dṛśya-viveka (seer vs seen) and the non-identity of Ātman with mind/senses.

Application: Practice self-inquiry and remembrance while healthy; do not postpone spiritual work to the last moment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.150 (continuation of maraṇa-lakṣaṇa)

FAQs

What is the importance of describing death signs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists recognizable end-of-life indicators (confusion, failing speech, bodily obstruction), emphasizing the inevitability of death and the need to prepare through dharma, right conduct, and timely rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By depicting the collapse of normal cognition and bodily control, it signals the transition point when the embodied state weakens—setting the narrative stage for the soul’s post-death journey described later in the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate ethical living and spiritual practice early, and ensure family awareness of end-of-life support and proper rites—since at death the mind, speech, and bodily control may not remain dependable.