Shloka 69

Dhanvantari’s Therapeutics: Jvara to Vraṇa

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

Devanagari script

हस्तिकर्णपलाशस्य गलगण्डं तु लेपतः / धत्तूरैरण्डनिर्गुण्डीवर्षाभूशिग्रुसर्षपैः

Transliteration

hastikarṇapalāśasya galagaṇḍaṃ tu lepataḥ / dhattūrairaṇḍanirguṇḍīvarṣābhūśigrusarṣapaiḥ

Translation

A paste made from the leaves of the hastikarṇa plant is applied for galagaṇḍa (goitre/neck swelling), prepared together with dhattūra, castor, nirguṇḍī, varṣābhū, śigru, and mustard.

Word by Word

• हस्ति: elephant
• हस्ति: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग

• कर्ण: ear
• कर्ण: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग

• पलाशस्य: of the hastikarṇa-leaf (elephant-ear plant)
• पलाशस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पलाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-समासपूर्वपदसमूहः (हस्तिकर्णः इव पलाशः)

• गल: throat/neck
• गल: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग

• गण्डम्: goiter/neck swelling
• गण्डम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गलस्य गण्डः = neck-swelling)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण/विरोधबोधक-निपात (particle)

• लेपतः: by applying as a paste
• लेपतः: Karaṇa/Hetu (Means/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (अपादान/हेतु), एकवचन; अर्थे ‘लेपेन’ इति करणार्थेऽपि प्रयोगः (by application)

• धत्तूर: dhattūra (Datura)
• धत्तूर: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धत्तूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, समासाङ्ग (plant-name)

• एरण्ड: castor plant
• एरण्ड: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एरण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग (castor)

• निर्गुण्डी: nirguṇḍī
• निर्गुण्डी: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्गुण्डी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग

• वर्षा: varṣā (a medicinal plant)
• वर्षा: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग (plant-name)

• भू: earth/‘bhū’ (component in plant-name)
• भू: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग (as part of plant-name)

• शिग्रु: śigru (moringa)
• शिग्रु: Samāsa-aṅga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिग्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग (Moringa)

• सर्षपैः: with mustard etc. (with the group of ingredients)
• सर्षपैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्षप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वसमूहस्य तृतीया-बहुवचन (धत्तूर-एरण्ड-निर्गुण्डी-वर্ষा-भूशिग्रु-सर्षपैः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Knowledge (vidya) applied for alleviating suffering is a dharmic act; careful combination (yukti) is emphasized.

Vedantic Theme: Yukti-yoga in embodied life: skillful means without attachment, supporting higher aims.

Application: Use topical lepa with attention to skin sensitivity and toxicity (e.g., dhattura); apply only under expert supervision.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.170 (galaganda remedies; continuity with 1.170.68 and 1.170.70)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of herbal lepa (paste therapy) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows the Purana preserving practical Ayurvedic protocols—external pastes using specific herbs—alongside its broader dharma teachings.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address the soul’s journey here; this section is a medical-therapeutic passage focused on bodily ailments and their remedies.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It highlights a traditional approach to swelling/neck disorders via herbal preparations; in modern use, consult a qualified practitioner because some listed herbs can be potent.