Shloka 21

Strīroga–Prasava Cikitsā, Bāla-Rakṣā, Rasāyana and Vājīkaraṇa Prayogas

Devanagari script

पलाशबीजं सघृतं तिल-मध्वन्वितं समम् / सप्ताहं भक्षितं रुद्र जरां नयति संक्षयम्

Transliteration

palāśabījaṃ saghṛtaṃ tila-madhvanvitaṃ samam / saptāhaṃ bhakṣitaṃ rudra jarāṃ nayati saṃkṣayam

Translation

O Rudra, palāśa seeds taken with ghee and mixed in equal measure with sesame and honey—when eaten for seven days—cause old age to diminish and waste away.

Word by Word

• पलाशबीजम्: palāśa seed
• पलाशबीजम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पलाश (प्रातिपदिक) + बीज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पलाशस्य बीजम्)

• सघृतम्: with ghee
• सघृतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/सह) + घृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव (घृतेन सह = with ghee)

• तिल: sesame
• तिल: Sambandha (in compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग (dvandva member)

• मध्वन्वितम्: mixed with honey (and sesame)
• मध्वन्वितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (तिल-मधु)-अन्वितम् = endowed with sesame and honey

• समम्: in equal measure
• समम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial/measure)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रमाण/मात्रा-साम्ये (equal proportion)

• सप्ताहम्: for a week
• सप्ताहम्: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Time extent/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कालपरिमाण (for a week)

• भक्षितम्: when eaten
• भक्षितम्: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्ष् (धातु) → भक्षित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि-भूतकृदन्त (having been eaten)

• रुद्र: O Rudra
• रुद्र: Sambodhana (Vocative/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• जराम्: old age
• जराम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• नयति: leads/drives
• नयति: Kriyā (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• संक्षयम्: to destruction
• संक्षयम्: Gati/Karma (Goal/फल-गति)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संक्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; गत्यर्थ-फल (to destruction)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating a remedial/ayurvedic-style formulation within the Garuda Purana discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sustained, rule-bound practice (niyama) in bodily care to reduce jarā; honoring the body as a support for dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-supporting discipline as preparation for higher pursuits; body as instrument (sādhana) rather than ultimate self.

Application: Follow a time-bound regimen (seven days) with measured intake; maintain supportive diet and rest; treat as traditional guidance requiring competent oversight.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.202.19-22 (palāśa/āmalaka rejuvenation and intellect/eloquence cluster)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Palasha
• Tila
• Madhu
• Ghrita

FAQs

What is the importance of this rasāyana-like remedy in the Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves a practical rejuvenative (rasāyana) prescription—palāśa seed with ghee, sesame, and honey—framed as a means to reduce senescence (jarā) when taken for seven days.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes like karma, death rituals, or the soul’s journey?

While many sections focus on afterlife and rites, this verse reflects the Purana’s broader scope: sustaining the body and vitality is presented as supportive to dharma and disciplined living, complementing ritual and ethical instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a traditional formulation: consult a qualified Ayurveda practitioner before use (especially due to honey/ghee/sesame considerations), and take the underlying teaching as valuing measured diet, regimen, and longevity in service of dharma.