Shloka 86

Netra–Nāsa–Mukha Cikitsā, Vraṇa/Bhasma Prayoga, Jvara–Vāta Remedies, and Protective/Uccāṭana Procedures

Devanagari script

अर्कमूलेन रविणा अर्काग्निज्वलिता शिव / युक्ता सिद्धार्थतैलेन वर्तिर्मार्गाहिनाशिनी

Transliteration

arkamūlena raviṇā arkāgnijvalitā śiva / yuktā siddhārthatailena vartirmārgāhināśinī

Translation

O auspicious one, a wick made from the root of the arka plant, lit with arka-fire and consecrated by the Sun, and soaked in siddhārtha (mustard) oil—such a lamp-wick destroys serpents encountered on the path.

Word by Word

• अर्क-मूलेन: with the root of arka plant
• अर्क-मूलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अर्कस्य मूलम्)

• रविणा: by the sun
• रविणा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रवि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• अर्क-अग्नि-ज्वलिता: kindled by arka-fire
• अर्क-अग्नि-ज्वलिता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्वलित (कृदन्त, ज्वल् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (अर्कस्य अग्निना ज्वलिता/अर्काग्निना ज्वलिता); विशेषणम् (वर्तिः)

• शिव: O Śiva
• शिव: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-प्रथमा (Vocative), एकवचन

• युक्ता: mixed/combined
• युक्ता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त, युज् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वर्तिः)

• सिद्धार्थ-तैलेन: with mustard-oil
• सिद्धार्थ-तैलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धार्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + तैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सिद्धार्थस्य तैलम्)

• वर्तिः: a wick
• वर्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• मार्ग-अहि-नाशिनी: destroying snakes on the path
• मार्ग-अहि-नाशिनी: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + अहि (प्रातिपदिक) + नाशिनी (कृदन्त, नश् धातु; स्त्री-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (मार्गे अहिः यस्य/यत् नाशयति); विशेषणम् (वर्तिः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within ritual guidance context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Integrating natural substances, auspicious consecration, and practical preparedness to reduce harm during travel.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as sustaining worldly welfare (abhyudaya) while acknowledging divine order

Application: For safety, combine practical measures (light, awareness, tools) with prayer/ritual confidence; treat nature respectfully.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: travel route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.177.85-86 (protective substances + timing + travel safety)

Characters & Entities

• Ravi (Sun)
• Arka (plant/Agni)
• Ahi (serpents)

FAQs

What is the importance of protective ritual measures in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a specific protective upāya: a ritually prepared lamp-wick using arka-root and mustard oil, indicating that disciplined ritual acts are prescribed to remove immediate dangers and obstacles.

How does this verse relate to dangers on the journey or path?

It explicitly targets “mārga-ahi” (snakes on the path), teaching that certain consecrated materials and fire offerings are believed to neutralize hazards encountered during travel or movement.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt the principle of preparedness and protective discipline—use safe, ethical precautions for travel and environments with risk, while treating traditional remedies as culturally significant practices to be done responsibly.