Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

कुष्ठमेहज्वरश्वासकासपित्तकफापहम् / सर्वदोषहरं हृद्यं कूष्माण्डं बस्तिशोधनम्

Transliteration

kuṣṭhamehajvaraśvāsakāsapittakaphāpaham / sarvadoṣaharaṃ hṛdyaṃ kūṣmāṇḍaṃ bastiśodhanam

Translation

Kūṣmāṇḍa (ash gourd/winter melon) alleviates skin disease, meha (diabetes-like disorders), fever, breathlessness, and cough, and it also pacifies pitta and kapha. It removes doṣas, is wholesome for the heart, and cleanses the urinary bladder.

Word by Word

• कुष्ठमेहज्वरश्वासकासपित्तकफापहम्: removing kuṣṭha, meha, fever, breathlessness, cough, pitta and kapha
• कुष्ठमेहज्वरश्वासकासपित्तकफापहम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुष्ठ + मेह + ज्वर + श्वास + कास + पित्त + कफ + अपह (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (removing leprosy, diabetes, fever, dyspnea, cough, pitta, kapha)

• सर्वदोषहरम्: removing all doṣas
• सर्वदोषहरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + दोष + हर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• हृद्यम्: heart-beneficial/pleasant
• हृद्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (pleasing/wholesome for heart)

• कूष्माण्डम्: kūṣmāṇḍa (ash gourd)
• कूष्माण्डम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूष्माण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; द्रव्यवाचक (ash gourd/winter melon)

• बस्तिशोधनम्: bladder/urinary-purifying
• बस्तिशोधनम्: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate adjective/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बस्ति + शोधन (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (purifying the bladder/urinary system)

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta/Pitta-Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Food as medicine: kūṣmāṇḍa mitigates multiple disorders and balances doṣas, supporting vital organs.

Vedantic Theme: Prakṛti-managed body as a vehicle for dharma; moderation and right means (yukta-āhāra).

Application: Use kūṣmāṇḍa preparations (as food) when pitta/kapha symptoms, cough/breathlessness, or urinary discomfort predominate; integrate with balanced regimen.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.169 (dravya-guṇa/āhāra section)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of kūṣmāṇḍa in the Garuda Purana?

The verse presents kūṣmāṇḍa as a multi-benefit food-medicine, highlighting its traditional role in balancing doṣas and supporting heart and urinary health.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not discuss afterlife cosmology; it contributes to dharma through bodily maintenance, implying that disciplined living supports higher spiritual aims.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Traditionally, ash gourd is used as a cooling, pitta-kapha pacifying food; one may incorporate it in diet (as appropriate) when seeking gentle support for cough/heat/urinary discomfort.