Shloka 8

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

Hair Growth, Greying Reversal, Head & Ear Remedies

Devanagari script

कचाः श्लक्ष्णा महाकृष्णा भवन्ति वृषभध्वज / भृङ्गराजं लोहचूर्णं त्रिफला बीजपूरकम्

Transliteration

kacāḥ ślakṣṇā mahākṛṣṇā bhavanti vṛṣabhadhvaja / bhṛṅgarājaṃ lohacūrṇaṃ triphalā bījapūrakam

Translation

O Vṛṣabhadhvaja (Śiva), by using bhṛṅgarāja, iron powder, triphalā, and bījapūraka (citron/lemon), the hair becomes smooth and intensely black.

Word by Word

• कचाः: hair-locks
• कचाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• श्लक्ष्णाः: smooth
• श्लक्ष्णाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्लक्ष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• महाकृष्णाः: very black
• महाकृष्णाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (महान् कृष्णः)

• भवन्ति: become
• भवन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• वृषभध्वज: O Bull-bannered one (Śiva)
• वृषभध्वज: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषभ (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; समासः—बहुव्रीहि (वृषभः ध्वजः यस्य = ‘whose banner is the bull’, epithet of Śiva)

• भृङ्गराजम्: bhr̥ṅgarāja (Eclipta alba)
• भृङ्गराजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृङ्गराज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• लोहचूर्णम्: iron powder
• लोहचूर्णम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोह (प्रातिपदिक) + चूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (लोहेन/लोहस्य चूर्णम्)

• त्रिफला: triphala (three-fruit formula)
• त्रिफला: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या) + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—द्विगु (त्रीणि फलानि यस्याम्)

• बीजपूरकम्: citron (bījapūraka)
• बीजपूरकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बीजपूरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda/Vinata-putra), within a cited address invoking 'Vṛṣabhadhvaja' (Śiva) as an epithet

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sattvic self-care and disciplined regimen can restore natural qualities; knowledge is transmitted respectfully within a sacred narrative voice.

Vedantic Theme: Integration of laukika (worldly) and adhyatmika (sacred) life—practical knowledge housed in a purana.

Application: Use bhringaraja, iron powder, triphala, and bijapuraka to make a preparation for smoothing and blackening hair.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.176 (hair darkening/strengthening formulations; mineral-herbal combinations)

Characters & Entities

• Vṛṣabhadhvaja (Śiva)

FAQs

What is the importance of bhṛṅgarāja in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents bhṛṅgarāja as a key ingredient for improving hair quality—specifically making hair smooth and deeply black—when combined with supportive substances like triphalā and iron powder.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings overall?

While much of the Garuda Purana is known for afterlife and dharma themes, it also preserves practical traditional knowledge; here it records a formulation-style list of ingredients used for bodily maintenance and wellbeing.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It can be read as a classical herbal guideline: bhringaraj and triphala are still used in hair oils and rinses; any use of iron-based powders should be approached cautiously and preferably with qualified Ayurvedic guidance.