Shloka 29

Madātyaya Nidāna and Lakṣaṇa: Liquor’s Qualities, Tridoṣa Presentations, and Fainting Signs

Devanagari script

सर्वाकृतिस्त्रिभिर्देषैरपस्मार इवापरः / पातयत्याशु निश्चेष्टं विना बीभत्सचेष्टितैः

Transliteration

sarvākṛtistribhirdeṣairapasmāra ivāparaḥ / pātayatyāśu niśceṣṭaṃ vinā bībhatsaceṣṭitaiḥ

Translation

它能现一切形相，又以三种状态显现；它迅疾击倒人，如同另一类癫痫，使其僵然不动，却无可怖的抽搐之状。

Word by Word

• सर्वाकृतिः: one of all forms; universal form
• सर्वाकृतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-आकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सर्वा आकृतिः)

• त्रिभिः: by/with three
• त्रिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण

• देषैः: by regions/places
• देषैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• अपस्मारः: epilepsy; seizure
• अपस्मारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपस्मार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (Comparison/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• अपरः: another; different
• अपरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण/सर्वनामसदृश

• पातयति: causes to fall; throws down
• पातयति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; णिच् (causative) भावः

• आशु: quickly
• आशु: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आशु (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• निश्चेष्टम्: motionless; inert
• निश्चेष्टम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निः-चेष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण; नञ्/निः-पूर्वक

• विना: without
• विना: Apadana (Ablative sense/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: अपादानार्थक/वर्जनार्थक-अव्यय (without; except)

• बीभत्सचेष्टितैः: by disgusting movements/gestures
• बीभत्सचेष्टितैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बीभत्स-चेष्टित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (बीभत्सं चेष्टितम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Afflictions can mimic other disorders and present in multiple modes; discernment is needed beyond surface appearance.

Vedantic Theme: Phenomena are variable (vikāra) and deceptive; correct knowledge (viveka) distinguishes true causes from mere likeness.

Application: Do not assume based on resemblance; observe patterns, modes, and functional impact before concluding diagnosis or blame.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: disease/affliction descriptions in Dharma-kāṇḍa/Ayurveda-like passages (general parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of apasmāra (epilepsy-like affliction) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses apasmāra as a comparison to describe a sudden, overpowering condition that drops a person into stillness, highlighting how certain afflictions can mimic seizure-like collapse while presenting distinct signs.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames bodily incapacity as a dramatic interruption of normal agency (ceṣṭā), a theme often used in Purāṇic teaching to stress vigilance, dharma, and preparedness for life’s abrupt turns.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat sudden illness and loss of control as a prompt for disciplined living—ethical conduct, timely duties, and seeking proper care—rather than assuming outward symptoms always match common expectations.