Shloka 4

Keśa-vardhana, Pālitā-nāśa, Śiraḥ-roga and Karṇa-śūla Cikitsā

Hair Growth, Greying Reversal, Head & Ear Remedies

Devanagari script

आम्रास्थिचूर्णलेपाद्वै केशाः सूक्ष्मा भवन्ति च / करञ्जामलकैलाललाक्षालेपो ऽरुणापहः

Transliteration

āmrāsthicūrṇalepādvai keśāḥ sūkṣmā bhavanti ca / karañjāmalakailālalākṣālepo 'ruṇāpahaḥ

Translation

By applying a paste of mango-seed powder, the hair becomes fine, soft, and smooth. A paste of karañja, āmalaka, cardamom, and lac removes reddish discoloration.

Word by Word

• आम्रास्थिचूर्णलेपात्: from mango-kernel powder paste
• आम्रास्थिचूर्णलेपात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आम्र-अस्थि-चूर्ण-लेप (प्रातिपदिक; आम्र + अस्थि + चूर्ण + लेप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; Ablative singular; ‘from the paste of mango-stone powder’

• वै: indeed
• वै: Discourse particle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• केशाः: hairs
• केशाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• सूक्ष्माः: fine/thin
• सूक्ष्माः: Visheshana (Qualifier of केशाः/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूक्ष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• भवन्ति: become
• भवन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; ‘become’

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• करञ्जामलकैलाललाक्षालेपः: paste of karañja, āmalaka, elā and lākṣā
• करञ्जामलकैलाललाक्षालेपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करञ्ज-अमलका-एला-ललाक्षा-लेप (प्रातिपदिक; करञ्ज + अमलका + एला + ललाक्षा + लेप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular; ‘paste (made) of karañja, āmalakā, elā, and lākṣā’

• अरुणापहः: removing redness
• अरुणापहः: Visheshana (Qualifier of लेपः/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अरुण-अपह (प्रातिपदिक; अरुण + अपह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular; ‘removing redness’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Small, consistent applications (lepa) can restore natural qualities; attention to cleanliness and appearance supports social harmony and self-respect.

Vedantic Theme: Moderation and order in the empirical life (vyavahāra) while keeping higher aims intact; refinement without indulgence.

Application: Apply mango-seed powder paste for finer hair; apply karañja–āmalaka–elā–lākṣā paste to remove reddish discoloration (as stated).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.176.1-3 (same therapeutic cluster)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What does the Garuda Purana say about mango seed paste for hair?

It states that a paste of mango-seed powder, when applied, makes the hair fine (sūkṣma), indicating a traditional cosmetic/therapeutic use.

What is meant by aruṇāpaha in this verse?

Aruṇāpaha means “that which removes redness,” referring to a preparation intended to reduce reddish discoloration or redness in the targeted area.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a traditional formulation note; herbal pastes can cause irritation or allergy, so patch-test and seek expert guidance if using botanicals like karañja or lac.