Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

कुष्ठचूर्णं साज्य-मधु प्रातर्जग्ध्वा भवेन्नरः / साक्षात्सुरभिदेहो वै जीवेद्वर्षसहस्रकम्

Transliteration

kuṣṭhacūrṇaṃ sājya-madhu prātarjagdhvā bhavennaraḥ / sākṣātsurabhideho vai jīvedvarṣasahasrakam

Translation

A man who eats kuṣṭha (costus) powder mixed with ghee and honey in the morning becomes truly fragrant-bodied, and indeed lives for a thousand years.

Word by Word

• कुष्ठचूर्णम्: powder of kuṣṭha (costus)
• कुष्ठचूर्णम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्ठ + चूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case/कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कुष्ठस्य चूर्णम्)

• साज्य: with ghee
• साज्य: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + आज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपसर्गार्थक-समास/उपपद (सहित-आर्थः: ‘with ghee’)

• मधु: honey
• मधु: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case/कर्म), एकवचन

• प्रातर्: in the morning
• प्रातर्: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रातर् (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• जग्ध्वा: having eaten
• जग्ध्वा: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जघ्/भक्ष् (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive)

• भवेत्: would become
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• नरः: a man
• नरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case/कर्ता), एकवचन

• साक्षात्: directly; manifestly
• साक्षात्: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साक्षात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: directly/manifestly)

• सुरभिदेहः: one with a fragrant body
• सुरभिदेहः: Karta (Subject complement/प्रथमा-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरभि + देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (सुरभिः देहः यस्य/सुरभिदेहः = fragrant-bodied)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• जीवेत्: would live
• जीवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जीव् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वर्षसहस्रकम्: a thousand years
• वर्षसहस्रकम्: Karma (Measure of time/कालपरिमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष + सहस्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case/कर्म—कालपरिमाण), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वर्षाणां सहस्रकम् = a thousand years)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rasāyana discipline promises enhanced vitality and refined bodily qualities; health as a support for righteous living.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi through regulated diet/medicine; longevity as enabling sustained sādhana (instrumental, not ultimate).

Application: Morning intake of kuṣṭha powder with ghee and honey as a tonic; interpret hyperbolic longevity as idealized rasāyana praise.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.202 (rasāyana/auṣadha prescriptions around longevity and strength)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of this remedy in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a rasāyana-style regimen—kuṣṭha powder with ghee and honey—framed as promoting bodily fragrance and exceptional longevity.

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

Alongside teachings on dharma and post-death consequences, the text also preserves practical instructions for sustaining the body; here it highlights a disciplined morning intake linked with health and long life.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages mindful, regulated daily habits and careful use of traditional formulations; if applied today, it should be done with qualified Ayurvedic guidance, especially regarding dosage and suitability.