Shloka 8

Ṛtucaryā, Āhāra–Aushadha Prayoga, Viṣa-haraṇa, and Mantra Procedures

Devanagari script

शर्करामधुसंयुक्तं नवनीतं बली लिहेत् / क्षीराशी च क्षयी पुष्टिं मेधाञ्चैवातुलां व्रजेत्

Transliteration

śarkarāmadhusaṃyuktaṃ navanītaṃ balī lihet / kṣīrāśī ca kṣayī puṣṭiṃ medhāñcaivātulāṃ vrajet

Translation

Let the strong person lick fresh butter mixed with sugar and honey; and the consumptive who lives on milk attains nourishment and an incomparable increase of intellect as well.

Word by Word

• शर्करामधुसंयुक्तम्: mixed with sugar and honey
• शर्करामधुसंयुक्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शर्करा-मधु-संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक; शर्करा, मधु, संयुक्त = √युज् (धातु) क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘शर्करया मधुना च संयुक्तम्’ (mixed with sugar and honey)

• नवनीतम्: butter
• नवनीतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नवनीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; घृतांश/butter

• बली: a strong person
• बली: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; बलवान् (strong person)

• लिहेत्: should lick/eat
• लिहेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लिह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• क्षीराशी: one who subsists on milk
• क्षीराशी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर-आशी (प्रातिपदिक; क्षीर, आशी = √अश् (धातु) णिन्/प्रातिपदिक ‘eater’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘क्षीरम् आश्नाति’ (milk-eater; one who takes milk diet)

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

• क्षयी: a consumptive (TB patient)
• क्षयी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षयिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; क्षयरोगी (consumptive person)

• पुष्टिम्: nourishment
• पुष्टिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; पोषण/strengthening

• मेधाम्: intellect
• मेधाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; बुद्धि/intellect

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphasis)

• अतुलाम्: incomparable
• अतुलाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘incomparable’ (qualifies puṣṭim/medhām or implied śriyam)

• व्रजेत्: should attain/go to
• व्रजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper diet as medicine; rebuilding ojas supports steadiness of mind (medhā) and capacity for duty.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-supporting nourishment aiding clarity; mind-body interdependence without mistaking it for ultimate Self.

Application: For strength and wasting conditions, use fresh butter with sugar and honey in appropriate measure; milk-based diet for the consumptive, with supervision.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.182 (bṛṃhaṇa/puṣṭi measures)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of diet-based remedies in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that the Garuda Purana also preserves practical guidance: specific foods (butter with honey and sugar, and a milk-based diet) are recommended to restore strength, nourishment, and mental clarity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe the after-death journey here; instead, it focuses on sustaining the living body—implying that maintaining health and clarity supports dharmic living and preparedness for life’s transitions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

As a general takeaway, it emphasizes nourishing, strengthening diets and simple formulations; for modern use, apply the principle (restorative nutrition) with medical guidance, especially for wasting illnesses.