Shloka 6

Dhanvantari’s Therapeutics: Jvara to Vraṇa

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

Devanagari script

महौषधामृतामुस्तचन्दनोशीरधान्यकैः / क्वाथस्तृतीयकं हन्ति शर्करामधुयोजितः

Transliteration

mahauṣadhāmṛtāmustacandanośīradhānyakaiḥ / kvāthastṛtīyakaṃ hanti śarkarāmadhuyojitaḥ

Translation

A decoction of the great medicinal herbs—amṛtā (guḍūcī), musta, sandalwood, uśīra (vetiver), and dhānyaka (coriander)—when given mixed with sugar and honey, destroys tertian fever (tṛtīyaka).

Word by Word

• महौषध: mahauṣadha (great medicinal herb)
• महौषध: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + औषध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगे, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन (समुच्चय)

• अमृता: amṛtā (guḍūcī)
• अमृता: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमृता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (समुच्चय)

• मुस्ता: mustā
• मुस्ता: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुस्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (समुच्चय)

• चन्दन: sandalwood
• चन्दन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (समुच्चय)

• उशीर: uśīra (vetiver)
• उशीर: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उशीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगे, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (समुच्चय)

• धान्यकैः: with dhānyaka (coriander)
• धान्यकैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धान्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• क्वाथः: decoction
• क्वाथः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्वाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तृतीयकम्: tertian fever (every third day)
• तृतीयकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृतीयक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• हन्ति: destroys, cures
• हन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शर्करामधुयोजितः: mixed with sugar and honey
• शर्करामधुयोजितः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शर्करा + मधु + योजित (कृदन्त; √युज् + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृतीया-अर्थे तत्पुरुष—शर्करया मधुना च योजितः (mixed with sugar and honey)

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Combine appropriate herbs with suitable anupāna (sugar, honey) to target specific fever pattern (tṛtīyaka/tertian).

Vedantic Theme: Balance (sāmya) as practical wisdom; moderation and right combination sustain clarity.

Application: Prepare a decoction of amṛtā (guḍūcī), mustā, sandalwood, uśīra, and dhānyaka; administer mixed with sugar and honey to destroy tertian fever.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: vaidya setting with cooling regimen

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.170 (specific fever types and formulations)

FAQs

What is the importance of tertian fever (tṛtīyaka jvara) in Garuda Purana?

This verse records a specific therapeutic protocol—an herbal decoction with sweeteners—showing the text’s practical guidance on alleviating a recurring fever pattern (tṛtīyaka).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe afterlife doctrine; instead, it presents a bodily remedy, reflecting the Purana’s inclusion of health-preserving instructions alongside spiritual teaching.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

As a traditional reference, it highlights a classical decoction approach for fever; in modern practice, use it as historical/Ayurvedic context and consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and safe dosing.