Shloka 43

Dhanvantari’s Therapeutics: Jvara to Vraṇa

Fever, GI Disorders, Bleeding, Respiratory, Urinary, Swelling, and Wound Care

Devanagari script

क्वाथो हन्ति माहशोथं मरीचगुडसंयुतः / कासघ्नो मोदकः प्रोक्तस्तृष्णारोचकनाशनः

Transliteration

kvātho hanti māhaśothaṃ marīcaguḍasaṃyutaḥ / kāsaghno modakaḥ proktastṛṣṇārocakanāśanaḥ

Translation

Cette décoction, mêlée de poivre noir et de jaggery, détruit les enflures violentes. On enseigne aussi le modaka, douce boulette, comme remède qui chasse la toux, la soif et la perte d’appétit.

Word by Word

• क्वाथः: the decoction
• क्वाथः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्वाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• हन्ति: destroys
• हन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• माहशोथम्: the severe swelling
• माहशोथम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माह (प्रातिपदिक) + शोथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः

• मरीचगुडसंयुतः: combined with black pepper and jaggery
• मरीचगुडसंयुतः: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मरीच (प्रातिपदिक) + गुड (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुत (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) ‘संयुत’ = ‘joined/combined’; तत्पुरुषः

• कासघ्नः: cough-destroying
• कासघ्नः: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कास (प्रातिपदिक) + घ्न (कृदन्त; √हन् धातु, घ्निन्/णिन्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः; ‘घ्न’ = ‘destroyer of’

• मोदकः: a bolus/sweet pill (modaka)
• मोदकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• प्रोक्तः: is said (to be)
• प्रोक्तः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+√वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘said/declared’

• तृष्णारोचकनाशनः: removing thirst and loss of appetite
• तृष्णारोचकनाशनः: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृष्णा (प्रातिपदिक) + अरोचक (प्रातिपदिक) + नाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Making medicine effective and acceptable (anupāna/palatability) is part of responsible care.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-supporting conduct: alleviating suffering (duḥkha-nivṛtti) as a basis for higher pursuits.

Application: Combine the kvātha with marīca and guḍa for swelling; use a modaka preparation for cough, thirst, and anorexia—under appropriate medical supervision, especially in edema.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.170 (formulary sequence: kvātha variants; respiratory and śotha indications)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of these formulations in the Garuda Purana?

They show the Purana’s role as a compendium—alongside dharma teachings, it transmits practical health measures using recognizable Ayurvedic categories like śotha and kāsa.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This verse is medical in nature and does not discuss preta-journey or Yama’s realm; it functions as therapeutic instruction within the broader text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It suggests adjuvants like black pepper and jaggery in decoctions and a modaka-style preparation for cough and appetite—best adapted with professional Ayurvedic guidance.