Shloka 16

Dhanvantari’s Therapeutics: Jvara to Vraṇa

Fever, GI Disorders, Bleeding, Respiratory, Urinary, Swelling, and Wound Care

Devanagari script

वत्सकातिविषाविश्वकणाकन्दकषायकः / प्रयुक्तश्चामशूलाढ्ये ह्यतीसारे सशोणित

Transliteration

vatsakātiviṣāviśvakaṇākandakaṣāyakaḥ / prayuktaścāmaśūlāḍhye hyatīsāre saśoṇita

Translation

A decoction of vatsaka (kutaja), ativishā, viśvā (dry ginger), kaṇā (long pepper), and kanda (a root/tuber) is administered for diarrhoea accompanied by āma and colicky pain, even when there is bleeding.

Word by Word

• वत्सक: vatsaka
• वत्सक: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्सक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (ingredient-name used in compound)

• अतिविषा: ativishā
• अतिविषा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिविषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (ingredient-name used in compound)

• विश्व: viśvā (dry ginger/another name)
• विश्व: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (ingredient-name used in compound)

• कणा: black pepper
• कणा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (ingredient-name used in compound)

• कन्द: tuber/root
• कन्द: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (ingredient-name used in compound)

• कषायकः: astringent decoction/preparation
• कषायकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कषाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रयुक्तः: administered
• प्रयुक्तः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'administered/used'

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

• आम-शूल-आढ्ये: in (cases) accompanied by ama and colic
• आम-शूल-आढ्ये: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आम + शूल + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (आमेन शूलेन च आढ्यः—'accompanied by')

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis/indeed)

• अतीसारे: in diarrhoea
• अतीसारे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतीसार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• स-शोणित: with blood (bloody)
• स-शोणित: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + शोणित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/सप्तमी-सामर्थ्य, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव ('with blood')

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When suffering intensifies, apply stronger, well-chosen measures; discernment (viveka) in treatment is a moral responsibility.

Vedantic Theme: Duhkha as impetus for right action; skillful means without panic, grounded in knowledge.

Application: Administer a decoction of vatsaka/kutaja, ativishā, dry ginger, long pepper, and kanda for atisāra with āma and colic, including cases with bleeding—under expert supervision due to severity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.170.15 (kutaja/kaṇā adjuncts); Garuda Purana 1.170.12 (atisāra-jvara kvātha)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of āma in this Garuda Purana verse?

Āma indicates impaired digestion and toxic residue; the verse prescribes warming and astringent herbs to address both diarrhoea and the underlying digestive dysfunction.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This passage is medical, not eschatological; it belongs to a section where Vishnu teaches Garuda practical therapies rather than describing Yama’s realm or post-death rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It suggests that diarrhoea with pain and especially bleeding is serious; seek medical care promptly, and use classical herbs like kutaja/ativisha only under professional supervision.