Shloka 37

Dhanvantari’s Therapeutics: Jvara to Vraṇa

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

Devanagari script

अश्वगन्धाकषाये च कल्के क्षीरे चतुर्गुणे / घृतपक्वन्तु वातघ्नं वृष्यं मां साय पुत्रकृत्

Transliteration

aśvagandhākaṣāye ca kalke kṣīre caturguṇe / ghṛtapakvantu vātaghnaṃ vṛṣyaṃ māṃ sāya putrakṛt

Translation

Cook ghee (ghṛta) with a decoction of aśvagandhā, its paste (kalka), and milk in fourfold measure; this ghee pacifies Vāta, is aphrodisiac, and for one nourished by wholesome food, promotes the begetting of a son.

Word by Word

• अश्वगन्धा-कषाये: in the decoction of aśvagandhā
• अश्वगन्धा-कषाये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वगन्धा (प्रातिपदिक) + कषाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; कषाये—‘अश्वगन्धायाः कषाये’ (locative of preparation)

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

• कल्के: in the paste (kalka)
• कल्के: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• क्षीरे: in milk
• क्षीरे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• चतुर्गुणे: fourfold (in quantity)
• चतुर्गुणे: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; ‘चतुर्गुणे (क्षीरे)’ = fourfold (quantity)

• घृत-पक्वम्: cooked in ghee
• घृत-पक्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घृत (प्रातिपदिक) + पच् (धातु) → पक्व (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘पक्व’ = cooked; ‘घृतेन पक्वम्’

• तु: indeed/then
• तु: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्यय (particle: emphasis/contrast)

• वातघ्नम्: alleviating vāta
• वातघ्नम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वात (प्रातिपदिक) + हन् (धातु) → घ्न (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘वातं हन्ति’ इति

• वृष्यम्: aphrodisiac
• वृष्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• साय: in the evening
• साय: Kala-adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साय (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: in the evening)

• पुत्रकृत्: producing offspring
• पुत्रकृत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु) → कृत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; ‘पुत्रं करोति’ इति

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sharira-dharana (supporting the body) through proper rasayana-like preparation; health as an aid to household life and progeny.

Vedantic Theme: Deha as sadhana-upadhi (instrument for duty); sattvic nourishment supports steadiness of mind and life-purpose.

Application: Prepare ghrita with aśvagandhā decoction + paste + fourfold milk; use as Vāta-pacifying tonic and fertility-support under appropriate diet and regimen.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.170 (Ayurveda/ausadhi-prakarana context: ghrita-kalpanas, vata disorders, rasayana-like formulations)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of ghṛta (ghee) preparations in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats medicated ghee as a potent carrier (anupāna) for strengthening and Vāta-balancing therapies, especially for vitality and reproductive health.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address afterlife doctrine; it focuses on sustaining bodily and mental health, which supports dharmic living—the broader aim of Purāṇic instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

As a traditional formulation reference: aśvagandhā-based ghṛta is classically used for Vāta and debility; modern use should be individualized with professional medical guidance.