Shloka 18

Preparations of Medicated Ghee and Oils (Ghṛta–Taila Yoga); Brāhmī-ghṛta and Nārāyaṇa Taila

Devanagari script

चित्रकार्कत्रिवृद्वापि यवानीहयमारकम् / सुधां च बालां गणिकां सप्तपर्णसुवर्चिकाम्

Transliteration

citrakārkatrivṛdvāpi yavānīhayamārakam / sudhāṃ ca bālāṃ gaṇikāṃ saptaparṇasuvarcikām

Translation

One should take chitraka, arka, trivrit, vāpi, yavānī, hayamāraka, along with sudhā, bālā, gaṇikā, and also saptaparṇa and suvarcikā.

Word by Word

• चित्रक: citraka (leadwort)
• चित्रक: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — medicinal plant name (Citraka)

• अर्क: arka (calotropis)
• अर्क: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — medicinal plant name (arka)

• त्रिवृत्: trivṛt (turpeth)
• त्रिवृत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिवृत्/त्रिवृता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (पाठभेद), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — medicinal plant name (trivṛt)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय — or

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय — also

• यवानी: yavānī (ajwain)
• यवानी: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यवानी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — medicinal plant/spice name

• हयमारकम्: hayamāraka (drug)
• हयमारकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हयमारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — medicinal substance name

• सुधाम्: sudhā (lime/nectar; here a drug)
• सुधाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — Accusative singular

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

• बालाम्: bālā (Sida cordifolia)
• बालाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — Accusative singular; drug name

• गणिकाम्: gaṇikā (drug)
• गणिकाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — Accusative singular; drug name

• सप्तपर्णसुवर्चिकाम्: saptaparṇa-suparcikā (drug)
• सप्तपर्णसुवर्चिकाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्तपर्ण + सुवर्चिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — Accusative singular; ‘सप्तपर्ण-सुवर्चिका’ = suvarcikā associated with saptaparṇa

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dravya-jñāna—precise knowledge of medicinal substances and their collection/combination.

Vedantic Theme: Vidya as upakāra—knowledge used for loka-saṅgraha (welfare).

Application: Identify and procure the listed herbs correctly (chitraka, arka, trivrit, yavānī, etc.) as prerequisites for preparing the intended medicine.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.174.19-20 (continuation: cooking and application of medicated oil)

FAQs

What is the importance of listing herbs in Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves a traditional Ayurvedic materia medica, indicating how specific herbs are combined as a base for later preparations described in the chapter.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings beyond afterlife topics?

It shows the Purana’s broader scope: along with dharma and the afterlife, it also transmits practical health knowledge through classical herbal formulations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a textual reference for historical Ayurveda; for actual treatment, consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner because several plant identifications and dosages require expert clarification.