Shloka 11

Devanagari script

आयुर्वेदकृताभ्यासः सर्वेषां प्रियदर्शनः / आयुः शीलगुणोपेतो वैद्य एव विधीयते

Transliteration

āyurvedakṛtābhyāsaḥ sarveṣāṃ priyadarśanaḥ / āyuḥ śīlaguṇopeto vaidya eva vidhīyate

Translation

One who has cultivated practice in Āyurveda, who is pleasing in appearance to all, and who is endowed with long life and virtues of good conduct—such a person alone is deemed a vaidya, a true physician.

Word by Word

• आयुर्वेदकृताभ्यासः: one trained/practiced in Ayurveda
• आयुर्वेदकृताभ्यासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आयुर्वेद (प्रातिपदिक; आयुस् + वेद) + कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ (धातु) + क्त) + अभ्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (आयुर्वेदे कृतः अभ्यासः यस्य) (Masculine, Nominative singular; tatpurusha)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all (people)
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन (Genitive plural)

• प्रियदर्शनः: pleasant in appearance
• प्रियदर्शनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय (प्रियं दर्शनं यस्य) (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• आयुः: life, longevity
• आयुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Neuter, Nominative singular)

• शीलगुणोपेतः: endowed with good conduct and qualities
• शीलगुणोपेतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शील (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + उपेत (कृदन्त; √इ (धातु) + उप + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष (शीलगुणैः उपेतः) (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• वैद्यः: physician
• वैद्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphasis)

• विधीयते: is appointed/ordained
• विधीयते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धा (धातु) + वि; विधीयते
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Medical authority rests on abhyāsa (trained practice) and śīla (ethical conduct); the healer must be pleasing/approachable and virtuous.

Vedantic Theme: Ahimsā and loka-saṅgraha through healing service; sattvic conduct supports clarity and compassion in action.

Application: Evaluate healthcare providers by training, experience, ethics, and bedside manner; cultivate professional virtue alongside technical skill.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: clinic/household (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: ancillary sections touching Ayurveda/health and the merit of preserving life (general internal parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of a physician’s character in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that a vaidya is recognized not merely by medical learning, but by disciplined Ayurvedic practice and moral qualities (śīla-guṇa), indicating that ethical conduct is integral to healing.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it links longevity and virtue with right living; cultivating dharmic conduct and proper care of the body supports a life oriented toward spiritual aims rather than harm-causing actions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose or become a healer who combines sound training with integrity and compassionate presence; for individuals, support health through disciplined practice and ethical living.