Shloka 20

Bhāiṣajya-yoga

Remedial Formulas), Rakṣā-prayoga (Protections), and Adbhuta-kriyā (Wonder-Working Procedures

Devanagari script

पीतं धरत्तूपुष्पञ्च सीसकञ्च पलं मतम् / लाङ्गलिकायाः शाखा च स्वर्णञ्च दहनाद्भवेत्

Transliteration

pītaṃ dharattūpuṣpañca sīsakañca palaṃ matam / lāṅgalikāyāḥ śākhā ca svarṇañca dahanādbhavet

Translation

Vorgeschrieben sind gelbe Dhattūra-Blüten und ein Pala-Maß an Blei; und durch das Verbrennen des Zweiges der Lāṅgalikā-Pflanze, so heißt es, entsteht Gold.

Word by Word

• पीतम्: yellow; drunk (context-dependent)
• पीतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत (कृदन्त; पा-धातोः क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• धरत्तू: dhattūra (thorn-apple)
• धरत्तू: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धरत्तू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन (समास/समुच्चयपूर्वपद)

• पुष्पम्: flower
• पुष्पम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

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

• सीसकम्: lead (metal)
• सीसकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीसक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

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

• पलम्: a pala (measure/weight)
• पलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; परिमाणवाचक (measure)

• मतम्: considered/held to be
• मतम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत (कृदन्त; मन्-धातोः क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; ‘इति मतम्’ = ‘it is considered’

• लाङ्गलिकायाः: of lāṅgalikā (a plant)
• लाङ्गलिकायाः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लाङ्गलिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• शाखा: branch
• शाखा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

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

• स्वर्णम्: gold
• स्वर्णम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

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

• दहनात्: from burning; by combustion
• दहनात्: Apadana (Source/Cause/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; हेतौ

• भवेत्: would become/should become
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rahasya-prayoga: transformation of base substances (lead, plant matter) into noble metal through prescribed combination and burning.

Vedantic Theme: Guna-parinama within prakriti; the text foregrounds applied knowledge (vidya) as power over material forms.

Application: As cultural history: note dhattura’s potency and lead’s toxicity; interpret as traditional alchemical lore and symbolic ‘purification/transmutation’ motifs; do not treat as safe practical instruction.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.184.19 (silver-making); Garuda Purana 1.184.21 (dhattura-seed oil lamp)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of listing substances like dhattūra, lead, and gold in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a technical prescription, naming specific materials and measures used in ritual or specialized procedures described in the text, emphasizing precision in observance.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on post-death rites?

Within the Preta Kanda’s practical instructions, such listings support the broader framework of correct ritual performance, which the tradition links to the deceased’s welfare and orderly rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a reminder that traditional rites stress exactness and qualified guidance—follow authentic family or priestly instructions rather than improvising substances or measurements.