Shloka 4

Therapeutic Formulations for Glandular Swelling, Skin Diseases, Heat-Afflictions, Bleeding Disorders, Respiratory Complaints, and Vomiting

Devanagari script

कुष्ठनागबलाचूर्णं नवनीतसमन्वितम् / तल्लेपो युवतीनाञ्च कुर्याद्वृत्तोजकौ शुभौ

Transliteration

kuṣṭhanāgabalācūrṇaṃ navanītasamanvitam / tallepo yuvatīnāñca kuryādvṛttojakau śubhau

Translation

A paste of the powders of kuṣṭha, nāga, and balā, blended with fresh butter—when young women apply it as a cosmetic unguent, it brings forth auspicious, full, and pleasing ojas, vitality and radiance.

Word by Word

• कुष्ठनागबलाचूर्णम्: powder of kuṣṭha and nāgabala
• कुष्ठनागबलाचूर्णम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + नागबला (प्रातिपदिक) + चूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘कुष्ठस्य नागबलायाश्च चूर्णम्’ (समाहारार्थे)

• नवनीतसमन्वितम्: mixed with butter
• नवनीतसमन्वितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नवनीत (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (कृदन्त; √अन्वि/अनु-√इ (धातु) क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; ‘नवनीतेन समन्वितम्’ (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Sambandha (Reference/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• लेपः: the paste
• लेपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• युवतीनाम्: of young women
• युवतीनाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युवती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

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

• कुर्यात्: should make/produce
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वृत्तोजकौ: two effects: firmness and vigor
• वृत्तोजकौ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक) + ओजक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), द्विवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘वृत्तौ ओजकौ’/‘वृत्त-ओजकौ’ (two effects)

• शुभौ: auspicious/good
• शुभौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), द्विवचन; ‘वृत्तोजकौ’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Auspicious self-care (śarīra-saṃskāra) that supports confidence, marital harmony, and social well-being within dharmic life.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-balance in embodied life; refinement of the body as a secondary support (upakāraka) to righteous living, not an ultimate end.

Application: Prepare a cosmetic lepa from kuṣṭha, nāga, and balā powders blended with fresh butter; apply externally as an unguent with moderation and skin-safety awareness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.190 (cosmetic/therapeutic lepa recipes)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of ojas in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse highlights a practical formulation intended to enhance ojas—interpreted as vitality, strength, and a pleasing radiance—through topical application of specific medicinal ingredients.

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

While much of the Garuda Purana addresses dharma and post-death rites, it also preserves applied knowledge; here it presents a beneficial medicinal/cosmetic practice aimed at health and auspicious appearance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It can be read as an emphasis on maintaining vitality and wellbeing through traditional herbal preparations; in modern practice, such formulations should be approached cautiously and aligned with qualified Ayurvedic guidance, especially regarding mineral ingredients.