Shloka 4

Keśa-vardhana, Pālitā-nāśa, Śiraḥ-roga and Karṇa-śūla Cikitsā

Hair Growth, Greying Reversal, Head & Ear Remedies

Devanagari script

आम्रास्थिचूर्णलेपाद्वै केशाः सूक्ष्मा भवन्ति च / करञ्जामलकैलाललाक्षालेपो ऽरुणापहः

Transliteration

āmrāsthicūrṇalepādvai keśāḥ sūkṣmā bhavanti ca / karañjāmalakailālalākṣālepo 'ruṇāpahaḥ

Translation

En appliquant une pâte de poudre de noyau de mangue, les cheveux deviennent fins et lisses. Une pâte de karañja, āmalaka, cardamome et laque fait disparaître la rougeur de la coloration.

Word by Word

• आम्रास्थिचूर्णलेपात्: from mango-kernel powder paste
• आम्रास्थिचूर्णलेपात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आम्र-अस्थि-चूर्ण-लेप (प्रातिपदिक; आम्र + अस्थि + चूर्ण + लेप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; Ablative singular; ‘from the paste of mango-stone powder’

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

• केशाः: hairs
• केशाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• सूक्ष्माः: fine/thin
• सूक्ष्माः: Visheshana (Qualifier of केशाः/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूक्ष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• भवन्ति: become
• भवन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; ‘become’

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• करञ्जामलकैलाललाक्षालेपः: paste of karañja, āmalaka, elā and lākṣā
• करञ्जामलकैलाललाक्षालेपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करञ्ज-अमलका-एला-ललाक्षा-लेप (प्रातिपदिक; करञ्ज + अमलका + एला + ललाक्षा + लेप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular; ‘paste (made) of karañja, āmalakā, elā, and lākṣā’

• अरुणापहः: removing redness
• अरुणापहः: Visheshana (Qualifier of लेपः/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अरुण-अपह (प्रातिपदिक; अरुण + अपह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular; ‘removing redness’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Small, consistent applications (lepa) can restore natural qualities; attention to cleanliness and appearance supports social harmony and self-respect.

Vedantic Theme: Moderation and order in the empirical life (vyavahāra) while keeping higher aims intact; refinement without indulgence.

Application: Apply mango-seed powder paste for finer hair; apply karañja–āmalaka–elā–lākṣā paste to remove reddish discoloration (as stated).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.176.1-3 (same therapeutic cluster)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What does the Garuda Purana say about mango seed paste for hair?

It states that a paste of mango-seed powder, when applied, makes the hair fine (sūkṣma), indicating a traditional cosmetic/therapeutic use.

What is meant by aruṇāpaha in this verse?

Aruṇāpaha means “that which removes redness,” referring to a preparation intended to reduce reddish discoloration or redness in the targeted area.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a traditional formulation note; herbal pastes can cause irritation or allergy, so patch-test and seek expert guidance if using botanicals like karañja or lac.