Shloka 18

Devanagari script

हयगन्धा च मञ्जिष्ठा मालतीकुसुमानि च / श्वेतसषर्प एतैश्च लिप्तलिङ्गः स्त्रियाः प्रियः

Transliteration

hayagandhā ca mañjiṣṭhā mālatīkusumāni ca / śvetasaṣarpa etaiśca liptaliṅgaḥ striyāḥ priyaḥ

Translation

If one anoints the liṅga with hayagandhā, mañjiṣṭhā, mālatī blossoms, and white sandal, he becomes dear and pleasing to women.

Word by Word

• हयगन्धा: aśvagandhā (Withania somnifera)
• हयगन्धा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हय + गन्धा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; द्रव्यनाम

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

• मञ्जिष्ठा: mañjiṣṭhā (madder)
• मञ्जिष्ठा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मञ्जिष्ठा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; द्रव्यनाम

• मालतीकुसुमानि: mālatī flowers
• मालतीकुसुमानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मालती + कुसुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; समासः—मालत्याः कुसुमानि

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

• श्वेतसषर्पः: white mustard (lit. white sarpa)
• श्वेतसषर्पः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वेत + सषर्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—श्वेतः सषर्पः

• एतैः: with these
• एतैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

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

• लिप्तलिङ्गः: one whose phallus is anointed
• लिप्तलिङ्गः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिप्त + लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—लिप्तं लिङ्गं यस्य (बहुव्रीह्यर्थे प्रयोगः)

• स्त्रियाः: of a woman
• स्त्रियाः: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• प्रियः: dear, beloved
• प्रियः: Predicative complement (विशेषण-प्रयोग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (लिप्तलिङ्गः)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Use of fragrant botanicals/minerals as a rite to gain affection.

Vedantic Theme: Mind’s outward pursuit of pleasure (viṣaya-rāga) contrasted with inward peace; ritual power framed as worldly attainment.

Application: Read critically: as cultural evidence of perfumery/ritual pharmacology; ethically, prefer self-cultivation over coercive aims.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.185 (auṣadha/prayoga sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Śiva (liṅga)

FAQs

What is the importance of anointing the liṅga in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse presents a phala-śruti: specific fragrant substances used for anointing the liṅga are said to yield an auspicious result—social and relational affection—indicating the Purāṇa’s emphasis on ritual precision and its stated outcomes.

How does this verse relate to the broader Garuḍa Purāṇa narrative about dharma and results?

Even when discussing worldly benefits, the text frames actions (karma) through prescribed worship (dharma), showing a cause-and-effect model where disciplined ritual acts are linked to specific fruits.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

If one practices Śiva worship, this verse suggests using clean, traditional offerings (flowers, sandal, fragrances) with reverence—focusing on purity, devotion, and ethical conduct rather than treating the result as mere manipulation.