Shloka 13

Devanagari script

नागेश्वरञ्च शैलेयं त्वक्पत्रञ्च हरीतकी / चन्दनं कुष्ठसूक्ष्मैलारक्तशालिसमन्विता

Transliteration

nāgeśvarañca śaileyaṃ tvakpatrañca harītakī / candanaṃ kuṣṭhasūkṣmailāraktaśālisamanvitā

Translation

Nageśvara, śaileya (a mountain aromatic), cinnamon leaf, and harītakī—together with sandalwood, kuṣṭha (costus), fine cardamom, and red śāli rice—are included (in the prescribed ritual materials).

Word by Word

• nāgeśvaraṃ: nāgeśvara (a fragrant substance)
• nāgeśvaraṃ: Karma (Object/list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāgeśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; नाग + ईश्वर (तत्पुरुष) (द्रव्यनाम)

• ca: and
• ca: Avyaya (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• śaileyaṃ: śaileya (a perfume/herb)
• śaileyaṃ: Karma (Object/list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaileya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (द्रव्यनाम)

• tvakpatraṃ: cinnamon leaf/bark-leaf
• tvakpatraṃ: Karma (Object/list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvak + patra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; त्वक्-पत्र (तत्पुरुष)

• ca: and
• ca: Avyaya (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• harītakī: harītakī (chebulic myrobalan)
• harītakī: Karta (Subject/list head)
• Type: Noun
• Root: harītakī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (द्रव्यनाम)

• candanaṃ: sandalwood
• candanaṃ: Karma (Object/list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (द्रव्यनाम)

• kuṣṭha: costus
• kuṣṭha: Samasa-anga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• sūkṣma: fine/powdered
• sūkṣma: Samasa-anga (Compound member)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūkṣma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• elā: cardamom
• elā: Samasa-anga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: elā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• raktaśāli: red rice
• raktaśāli: Samasa-anga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rakta + śāli (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग); रक्त-शालि (कर्मधारय)

• samanvitā: endowed/combined (with)
• samanvitā: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-vid (धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘समन्वित’ + टाप्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy is tied to correct assemblage of dravya (ingredients) and their guṇa (qualities: fragrance, heat, sharpness).

Vedantic Theme: Instrumentality of prakṛti (dravya-guṇa) in producing worldly results (artha/kāma), distinct from liberation.

Application: As scholarship: map substances to Ayurvedic/tantric materia medica; as practice: treat as historical, avoid unsafe ingestion/contact without expert validation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: herbal/mineral sourcing (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.185.14 (dhūpa vashīkaraṇa effect)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of these substances in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse enumerates specific fragrant and auspicious ritual materials used as prescribed items in rites connected with purification and offerings, supporting the sanctity and completeness of the ceremony.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals?

Garuda Purana often details the correct dravya (materials) for rites like śrāddha and related observances; this shloka functions as a checklist of sanctioned items used to prepare or accompany offerings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing traditional śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related observances, families can consult qualified priests and use culturally accepted, sattvic, and prescribed materials—prioritizing authenticity, cleanliness, and intention.