Shloka 4

Devanagari script

त्रिफलाचित्रकबलानिर्गुण्डी निम्बवासकाः / पुनर्नवा गुडूची च बृहती च शतावरी

Transliteration

triphalācitrakabalānirguṇḍī nimbavāsakāḥ / punarnavā guḍūcī ca bṛhatī ca śatāvarī

Translation

Triphala, citraka, balā, nirguṇḍī, nimba, and vāsaka; also punarnavā, guḍūcī, bṛhatī, and śatāvarī—these are the herbs to be used.

Word by Word

• त्रिफला: triphala (three-fruit formulation)
• त्रिफला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + फल (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; द्विगुसमास (त्रीणि फलानि) औषधिद्रव्यनाम

• चित्रकबला: citraka and balā (two herbs)
• चित्रकबला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रक + बला (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (समाहार/एकवचन) औषधिद्रव्यनाम

• निर्गुण्डी: nirguṇḍī (Vitex negundo)
• निर्गुण्डी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्गुण्डी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; औषधिद्रव्यनाम

• निम्बवासकाः: nimba and vāsaka (two herbs)
• निम्बवासकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निम्ब + वासक (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (इतरेतर) औषधिद्रव्यनाम

• पुनर्नवा: punarnavā (Boerhavia diffusa)
• पुनर्नवा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुनर्नवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; औषधिद्रव्यनाम

• गुडूची: guḍūcī
• गुडूची: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुडूची (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; औषधिद्रव्यनाम

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

• बृहती: bṛhatī (Solanum indicum)
• बृहती: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बृहती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; औषधिद्रव्यनाम

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

• शतावरी: śatāvarī (Asparagus racemosus)
• शतावरी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शतावरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; औषधिद्रव्यनाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Mixed

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper selection of ingredients (dravya-saṅgraha) is foundational to effective action and outcomes.

Vedantic Theme: Harmony with prakṛti; using guṇas of herbs to restore balance, supporting sādhana.

Application: Identify and source authentic herbs; maintain quality control and correct identification before preparation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: herbal grove/dispensary

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.174.5 (these herbs used for ghṛta preparation)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of these herbs in the Garuda Purana?

The verse enumerates a therapeutic set of classical Ayurvedic herbs, showing that the text preserves practical medicinal knowledge for maintaining health as part of dharmic living.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address preta- or afterlife themes directly; it focuses on bodily well-being, which supports disciplined conduct, study, and ritual capacity referenced elsewhere in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a traditional ingredient reference; dosage and combinations should follow qualified Ayurvedic consultation rather than self-formulation.