Shloka 47

Bhaiṣajya-yogas: Digestive Modakas, Vāta-Śamana Oils, Karṇa-Roga Tailas, Kuṣṭha/Śvitra Applications, Vraṇa-Cikitsā, and Medhya Preparations

Devanagari script

उदुम्बरं वटं प्लक्षं जम्बूद्वयमथार्जुनम् / पिप्पली च कदम्बञ्च पलाशं लोध्रतिन्दुकम्

Transliteration

udumbaraṃ vaṭaṃ plakṣaṃ jambūdvayamathārjunam / pippalī ca kadambañca palāśaṃ lodhratindukam

Translation

Udumbara, banyan, plakṣa, the two kinds of jambu, and arjuna—also pippalī, kadamba, palāśa, lodhra, and tinduka—are to be taken and used.

Word by Word

• उदुम्बरम्: udumbara tree
• उदुम्बरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदुम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• वटम्: banyan tree
• वटम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्लक्षम्: plaksha tree
• प्लक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जम्बूद्वयम्: two (parts of) jambū / a pair of jambū
• जम्बूद्वयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जम्बू (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (संख्यापूर्वक-समाहार)

• अथ: then/also
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/समुच्चयार्थक (then/also)

• अर्जुनम्: arjuna tree
• अर्जुनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पिप्पली: long pepper
• पिप्पली: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिप्पली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (रूपं प्रथमा/द्वितीया समानम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (and)

• कदम्बम्: kadamba tree
• कदम्बम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कदम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (and)

• पलाशम्: palāśa tree
• पलाशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पलाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• लोध्रतिन्दुकम्: lodhra and tinduka (together)
• लोध्रतिन्दुकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोध्र (प्रातिपदिक) + तिन्दुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (समाहार-द्वन्द्व)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Care of the body through sanctioned natural substances as a support for righteous living.

Vedantic Theme: Śarīra as an instrument (sādhana) for puruṣārthas; maintenance of the guṇa-balance to aid sattva.

Application: Identify and source the listed trees/parts for decoctions, oils, or adjunct preparations as per the surrounding medical context.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.192 (Ayurveda/auṣadha context continuing into 1.192.48); Garuda Purana 1.193 (subsequent medicinal formulations)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of listing sacred trees and plants in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a ritual-material (dravya) list, indicating specific sacred trees/plants traditionally considered suitable for rites connected with śrāddha and related observances.

How does this verse relate to death rituals mentioned in the Garuda Purana?

By enumerating auspicious botanical items, it supports the practical side of post-death rites (such as śrāddha preparations), where correct materials are prescribed for ritual purity and efficacy.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or memorial worship, consult qualified tradition-bearers and use locally available, ritually accepted substitutes while keeping the intent—purity, reverence, and charity—central.