Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

सूक्ष्मैलापिप्पलीकुष्ठत्वगेलागुरुकेसरैः / गन्धाश्वजीवनीयैश्च क्षीराढकसमाश्रितम्

Transliteration

sūkṣmailāpippalīkuṣṭhatvagelāgurukesaraiḥ / gandhāśvajīvanīyaiśca kṣīrāḍhakasamāśritam

Translation

Prepared with fine cardamom, pippalī (long pepper), kuṣṭha (costus), tvak (cinnamon bark), cardamom, fragrant aguru, and kesara (saffron)—together with aromatic and vitality-promoting herbs—this is to be combined with one āḍhaka of milk.

Word by Word

• सूक्ष्मैला: small cardamom
• सूक्ष्मैला: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूक्ष्म + एला (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग); कर्मधारयसमास (‘सूक्ष्मा एला’)

• पिप्पली: long pepper
• पिप्पली: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिप्पली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• कुष्ठ: kuṣṭha (Saussurea lappa)
• कुष्ठ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• त्वक्: bark/skin (cinnamon bark)
• त्वक्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग; प्रातिपदिक ‘त्वच्’ → पद ‘त्वक्’)

• एला: cardamom
• एला: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• गुरु: aguru (aloeswood)
• गुरु: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग; द्रव्यनाम ‘गुरु’ = अगुरु)

• केसरैः: saffron/pollen (kesara)
• केसरैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केसर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• गन्धाश्वजीवनीयैः: with gandha and aśva-jīvanīya (two herbs)
• गन्धाश्वजीवनीयैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + अश्व + जीवनीय (प्रातिपदिक-त्रय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (गन्धश्च अश्वजीवनीयश्च—औषधिद्रव्यद्वय)

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

• क्षीराढकसमाश्रितम्: supported by/combined with an āḍhaka of milk
• क्षीराढकसमाश्रितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षीर + आढक + समाश्रित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सम्-आ-√श्रि ‘to resort to’ → समाश्रित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास (क्षीरस्य आढकं—तत्-समाश्रितम्); भूतकृदन्त (क्त) विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Synergy (saṃyoga) of aromatics and nourishing anupāna (milk) enhances efficacy and assimilation.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva enhancement through refined diet and regimen; prāṇa support as an aid to steadiness of mind.

Application: Combine warming aromatics with appropriate milk measure; attend to vehicle (anupāna) and balance in formulations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: perfumery-like pharmacy/vaidya-kitchen

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.174.5 (taila/ghṛta cooking context)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is being described in this Garuda Purana verse?

A specific medicinal formulation listing aromatic and life-promoting herbs, to be combined with a measured quantity (āḍhaka) of milk.

Does this verse relate to afterlife rituals or to health practice?

This verse is primarily therapeutic/Āyurvedic in tone, focusing on ingredients and preparation rather than describing Yama’s realm or post-death rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It highlights measured preparation and the use of warming aromatics often associated with balancing vāta—best approached through qualified traditional medical guidance.