Shloka 5

Anupāna and the Doṣa-Effects of Foods, Waters, Dairy, Oils, and Preparations

कफपित्तास्त्रजिन्मुद्गः कषायो मधुरोलघुः / माषो बहुबलो वृष्यः पित्तश्लेष्महरो गुरुः

kaphapittāstrajinmudgaḥ kaṣāyo madhurolaghuḥ / māṣo bahubalo vṛṣyaḥ pittaśleṣmaharo guruḥ

Mungbohne (mudga) mindert Kapha, Pitta und Blutstörungen; sie ist herb-adstringierend (kaṣāya), mild süß und leicht verdaulich. Schwarze Bohne (māṣa) hingegen schenkt viel Kraft und wirkt aphrodisierend; sie reduziert Pitta und Schleim, ist jedoch schwer verdaulich.

कफपित्तास्त्रजित्conquering kapha, pitta, and ‘astra’ (sharp/irritant factor)
कफपित्तास्त्रजित्:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootकफ + पित्त + अस्त्र + जि (धातु) → जित् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कफ-पित्त-अस्त्राणि जयति इति); कृदन्तः—जि-धातोः ‘जित्’
मुद्गःmung bean (green gram)
मुद्गः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootमुद्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन
कषायःastringent
कषायः:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootकषाय (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्
मधुरःsweet
मधुरः:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootमधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्
लघुःlight (easy to digest)
लघुः:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootलघु (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्
माषःblack gram
माषः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootमाष (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन
बहुबलःvery strengthening
बहुबलः:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootबहु + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (बहु-बलः)
वृष्यःaphrodisiac
वृष्यः:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootवृष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्
पित्तश्लेष्महरःremover of bile and phlegm
पित्तश्लेष्महरः:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootपित्त + श्लेष्म + हृ (धातु) → हर (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (पित्तश्लेष्मयोः हरः)
गुरुःheavy
गुरुः:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootगुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Dosha: Vata/Pitta/Kapha

Concept: Different legumes serve different aims: mudga for lightness and doṣa/blood disorder relief; māṣa for बल (strength) and vṛṣyatva though guru.

Vedantic Theme: Middle path of maintenance: neither indulgence nor deprivation; choose means suited to one’s condition.

Application: Prefer mudga in convalescence, heat/inflammation, kapha-pitta imbalance, or when digestion is weak; use māṣa for rebuilding strength and vitality, prepared to aid digestion (spices, proper cooking) and avoid in weak agni.

Primary Rasa: shanta

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.169 (legume guṇas; continuation into other pulses)

V
Vishnu
G
Garuda

FAQs

This verse shows that the Garuda Purana also preserves practical dharma through health-focused guidance, describing foods by their effects on doshas and digestion.

Indirectly: by prescribing balanced, digestible foods, it supports bodily steadiness and clarity, which are treated as aids to dharmic living and spiritual discipline.

Use mudga when seeking lighter digestion and kapha-pitta balance; use māṣa for strength-building but with care if heavy foods aggravate you.