Shloka 6

Preparations of Medicated Ghee and Oils (Ghṛta–Taila Yoga); Brāhmī-ghṛta and Nārāyaṇa Taila

Devanagari script

सूक्ष्मैलापिप्पलीकुष्ठत्वगेलागुरुकेसरैः / गन्धाश्वजीवनीयैश्च क्षीराढकसमाश्रितम्

Transliteration

sūkṣmailāpippalīkuṣṭhatvagelāgurukesaraiḥ / gandhāśvajīvanīyaiśca kṣīrāḍhakasamāśritam

Translation

Bereitet mit feinem Kardamom, pippalī (Langpfeffer), kuṣṭha (Costus), Zimtrinde (tvak), Kardamom, duftendem aguru und Safran (kesara), dazu aromatische und lebensstärkende Kräuter—dies soll mit einem āḍhaka Milch verbunden werden.

Word by Word

• सूक्ष्मैला: small cardamom
• सूक्ष्मैला: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूक्ष्म + एला (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग); कर्मधारयसमास (‘सूक्ष्मा एला’)

• पिप्पली: long pepper
• पिप्पली: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिप्पली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• कुष्ठ: kuṣṭha (Saussurea lappa)
• कुष्ठ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• त्वक्: bark/skin (cinnamon bark)
• त्वक्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग; प्रातिपदिक ‘त्वच्’ → पद ‘त्वक्’)

• एला: cardamom
• एला: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• गुरु: aguru (aloeswood)
• गुरु: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग; द्रव्यनाम ‘गुरु’ = अगुरु)

• केसरैः: saffron/pollen (kesara)
• केसरैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केसर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• गन्धाश्वजीवनीयैः: with gandha and aśva-jīvanīya (two herbs)
• गन्धाश्वजीवनीयैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + अश्व + जीवनीय (प्रातिपदिक-त्रय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (गन्धश्च अश्वजीवनीयश्च—औषधिद्रव्यद्वय)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• क्षीराढकसमाश्रितम्: supported by/combined with an āḍhaka of milk
• क्षीराढकसमाश्रितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षीर + आढक + समाश्रित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सम्-आ-√श्रि ‘to resort to’ → समाश्रित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास (क्षीरस्य आढकं—तत्-समाश्रितम्); भूतकृदन्त (क्त) विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Synergy (saṃyoga) of aromatics and nourishing anupāna (milk) enhances efficacy and assimilation.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva enhancement through refined diet and regimen; prāṇa support as an aid to steadiness of mind.

Application: Combine warming aromatics with appropriate milk measure; attend to vehicle (anupāna) and balance in formulations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: perfumery-like pharmacy/vaidya-kitchen

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.174.5 (taila/ghṛta cooking context)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is being described in this Garuda Purana verse?

A specific medicinal formulation listing aromatic and life-promoting herbs, to be combined with a measured quantity (āḍhaka) of milk.

Does this verse relate to afterlife rituals or to health practice?

This verse is primarily therapeutic/Āyurvedic in tone, focusing on ingredients and preparation rather than describing Yama’s realm or post-death rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It highlights measured preparation and the use of warming aromatics often associated with balancing vāta—best approached through qualified traditional medical guidance.