Shloka 37

Aśva–Gaja Āyurveda: Marks, Defects, Wounds, Doṣa-Therapy, and Protective Rites

Devanagari script

भोजनं मन्त्रितं दद्याद्भस्मनोद्धूनयेद्गजमम् / भूतरक्षा शुभा मेध्या वारणं रक्षयेत्सदा

Transliteration

bhojanaṃ mantritaṃ dadyādbhasmanoddhūnayedgajamam / bhūtarakṣā śubhā medhyā vāraṇaṃ rakṣayetsadā

Translation

One should offer food sanctified by mantras, and then dust the elephant with ash. This is an auspicious, purifying safeguard against spirits, keeping the elephant ever protected.

Word by Word

• भोजनम्: food
• भोजनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• मन्त्रितम्: consecrated/enchanted (by mantra)
• मन्त्रितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्रित (कृदन्त; √मन्त्र् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle)

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भस्मना: with ash
• भस्मना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• उद्धूनयेत्: should dust off/shake off
• उद्धूनयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: उद्

• गजम्: the elephant
• गजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• भूतरक्षा: protection from spirits
• भूतरक्षा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत + रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भूतानां रक्षा)

• शुभा: auspicious
• शुभा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• मेध्या: purifying/wholesome
• मेध्या: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• वारणम्: the elephant
• वारणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• रक्षयेत्: should protect
• रक्षयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rakṣā (protective duty) through mantra-sanskāra and śauca (purification).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as harmonizing order: ritual purity and right action reduce fear and disorder.

Application: Before feeding valued animals, sanctify food with mantras; use ash as a traditional purifier/repellent; maintain consistent protective routines.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/royal stable (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.201 (gaja-cikitsā/rakṣā context)

Characters & Entities

• Bhutas

FAQs

What is the importance of bhūta-rakṣā (spirit-protection) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents bhūta-rakṣā as a practical, auspicious safeguard achieved through mantra-consecration and purificatory substances like bhasma, emphasizing ritual purity and protection from harmful influences.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

While not directly describing the soul’s journey, it reflects the Purana’s broader concern with unseen forces affecting living beings and rites—showing that mantra and purity are protective supports within dharmic practice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a disciplined approach to sacred practice: offer or consume food only after prayer/mantra, and use traditional purificatory measures (where culturally appropriate) as reminders of cleanliness, sanctity, and protection.