Shloka 5

Devanagari script

त्रिफला चित्रकं चित्रं तथा कटुकरोहिणी / उरुस्तम्भहरं ह्येतदुत्तमन्तु विरेचनम्

Transliteration

triphalā citrakaṃ citraṃ tathā kaṭukarohiṇī / urustambhaharaṃ hyetaduttamantu virecanam

Translation

Triphala, Citraka, Citra, and likewise Katukarohiṇī—this compound is said to remove stiffness or obstruction of the thighs; indeed, it is an excellent purgative (virecana).

Word by Word

• त्रिफला: Triphala (three-fruit formulation)
• त्रिफला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या) + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—त्रीणि फलानि यस्याः/समाहारः (द्विगु)

• चित्रकम्: citraka (Plumbago zeylanica)
• चित्रकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• चित्रम्: variegated; excellent (lit. ‘wonderful’)
• चित्रम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोग

• तथा: also; likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/तुल्यार्थक (also/likewise)

• कटुकरोहिणी: kaṭukarohiṇī (a bitter herb)
• कटुकरोहिणी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कटु (प्रातिपदिक) + रोहिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कटुः रोहिणी इति कर्मधारय

• ऊरुस्तम्भहरम्: removing thigh-stiffness
• ऊरुस्तम्भहरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—ऊरुस्तम्भं हरति इति उपपद-तत्पुरुष

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम-रूप

• उत्तमम्: best; excellent
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• तु: and; indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक (but/indeed)

• विरेचनम्: purgation; purgative therapy
• विरेचनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरेचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Removing bodily obstruction enables steadiness in conduct and practice; purification is a supportive discipline.

Vedantic Theme: Upādhis (limiting conditions) are mitigated by right means; clarity arises when impediments are reduced.

Application: A compound of triphalā, citraka, ‘citra’, and kaṭukarohiṇī is indicated for ūru-stambha and as a strong virecana; apply with proper assessment of strength and contraindications.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.183.6 (ūru-stambha remedy with goat milk decoction); Garuda Purana 1.183.4 (virecana with harītakī)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of virecana (purgation) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights virecana as an “excellent” cleansing measure, presenting a specific herbal combination used to purge impurities and relieve obstructive stiffness.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

Alongside afterlife and dharma topics, the Garuda Purana also preserves practical guidance—here, an Ayurvedic-style remedy focused on bodily purification and removing physical obstruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as traditional medical guidance: consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before using purgatives, especially since strong cleansing herbs can be contraindicated in many conditions.