Shloka 8

Oṣadhi-nāma-nirdeśa: Paryāya (Synonyms) of Herbs, Minerals, and Classical Measures

Devanagari script

प्लक्षो ऽथ गर्दभाण्डः स्यात्पर्कटी च कपीतनः / पार्थस्तु ककुभो धन्वि विज्ञेयोर्ऽजुननामभिः

Transliteration

plakṣo 'tha gardabhāṇḍaḥ syātparkaṭī ca kapītanaḥ / pārthastu kakubho dhanvi vijñeyor'junanāmabhiḥ

Translation

Plakṣa is also known as Gardabhāṇḍa, and Parkaṭī is also called Kapītana. Likewise, Pārtha—the bearer of the bow—should be understood by the names Kakubha and Arjuna.

Word by Word

• प्लक्षः: Plakṣa (a tree)
• प्लक्षः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• अथ: then/next
• अथ: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (particle/adverb: then/now)

• गर्दभाण्डः: Gardabhāṇḍa (a plant/tree name)
• गर्दभाण्डः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गर्दभ + अण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गर्दभस्य अण्डम्/अण्डः इव)

• स्यात्: may be/is called
• स्यात्: Kriya (Copula/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• पर्कटी: Parkaṭī (a plant name)
• पर्कटी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्कटी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

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

• कपीतनः: Kapītana (a tree name)
• कपीतनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपीतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पार्थः: Pārtha (a name)
• पार्थः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्यय (particle)

• ककुभः: Kakubha (a tree)
• ककुभः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ककुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• धन्वि: O archer
• धन्वि: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; ‘धन्विन्’ शब्दस्य सम्बोधन-एकवचन (धन्विन्→धन्वि)

• विज्ञेयः: is to be known/identified
• विज्ञेयः: Kriya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु) + य (कृत्)
• Form: कृदन्त (भाव्य) ‘विज्ञेय’, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेयभावे

• अर्जुननामभिः: by the names ‘Arjuna’ (i.e., as Arjuna-named)
• अर्जुननामभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अर्जुनस्य नाम)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Paryāya-jñāna (synonym knowledge) prevents confusion across regions and textual traditions.

Vedantic Theme: Names are conventional markers; knowledge requires discerning the referent beyond linguistic variation.

Application: When a text prescribes plakṣa/kakubha/arjuna etc., recognize alternate names (gardabhāṇḍa, kapītana) to procure the correct wood/bark/leaves.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204 (continued synonym lists for trees/medicinals)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Arjuna (Pārtha)

FAQs

What is the purpose of listing alternate names in this Garuda Purana verse?

This verse functions like a traditional glossary, clarifying that certain trees and epithets are known by multiple names, helping readers correctly identify terms used in rituals and Purāṇic passages.

Does this verse relate directly to death rituals described in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: accurate identification of names (especially plant names and epithets) supports correct understanding and application of Purāṇic instructions, including those connected to rites and dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When reading or performing tradition-based practices, cross-check synonyms and regional names so the intended plant or reference is not mistaken—especially in mantra, pūjā materials, and scriptural study.