Dhanvantari’s Therapeutics: Jvara to Vraṇa
Fever, GI Disorders, Bleeding, Respiratory, Urinary, Swelling, and Wound Care
प्रलेपःश्लीपदं हन्ति चिरोत्थमतिदारुणम् / शोभाञ्जनकसिन्धृत्थहिङ्गुं विद्रधिनाशनम्
pralepaḥślīpadaṃ hanti cirotthamatidāruṇam / śobhāñjanakasindhṛtthahiṅguṃ vidradhināśanam
Diese Heilsalbe vernichtet ślīpada (Elephantiasis), selbst wenn es lange besteht und äußerst schlimm ist. Die Mischung mit śobhāñjana, kasindhṛttha und hiṅgu soll vidradhi (Abszess) vertreiben.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)
Concept: Perseverance in right treatment can overcome entrenched suffering; do not despair at chronicity.
Vedantic Theme: Klesha-nivritti through sustained right effort (abhyasa) in the embodied domain.
Application: Treat chronic lymphatic/skin disorders with sustained, supervised care; combine topical and systemic approaches as appropriate.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.170 (skin/lymph disorders; vidradhi remedies; continuity with wound-healing verse 1.170.71)
By naming ślīpada and describing pralepa therapy, the text documents recognized chronic diseases and their traditional management.
This verse is not about preta-gati or Yama’s realm; it is a pragmatic medical instruction within the Purana’s encyclopedic material.
It suggests external paste-based interventions for chronic swelling and boils; apply only under expert guidance due to variability in identification and safety of ingredients.