Shloka 36
Bhaiṣajya-yogas: Digestive Modakas, Vāta-Śamana Oils, Karṇa-Roga Tailas, Kuṣṭha/Śvitra Applications, Vraṇa-Cikitsā, and Medhya Preparations
अपामार्गः गुडूची च वचा कुष्ठं शतावरी / शङ्खपुष्पाभया साज्यं विडङ्गं भक्षितं समम् / त्रिभिर्दिनैर्नरं कुर्याद्ग्रन्थाष्टशतधारिणम्
apāmārgaḥ guḍūcī ca vacā kuṣṭhaṃ śatāvarī / śaṅkhapuṣpābhayā sājyaṃ viḍaṅgaṃ bhakṣitaṃ samam / tribhirdinairnaraṃ kuryādgranthāṣṭaśatadhāriṇam
અપામાર્ગ, ગુડૂચી, વચા, કુષ્ઠ અને શતાવરી—તથા શંખપુષ્પી, અભયા (હરીતકી), ઘી અને વિડંગ—આ બધું સમમાત્રામાં ભક્ષણ કરવાથી, ત્રણ દિવસમાં મનુષ્ય આઠસો ગ્રંથો ધારણ કરી શકે તેવી સ્મૃતિશક્તિ પામે છે।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Smṛti-dhāraṇā-śakti (retentive power) as a support for learning and transmission of śāstra; disciplined intake of medhya/rasāyana to refine cognition.
Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-sādhana: strengthening memory and attention aids śravaṇa-manana; knowledge is stabilized by smṛti.
Application: Prepare and consume an equal-measure formulation of apāmārga, guḍūcī, vacā, kuṣṭha, śatāvarī, plus śaṅkhapuṣpā, abhayā, ghee, and viḍaṅga; taken as a consumed preparation, it is said to confer rapid text-retention (claim: within three days).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.192 (medhya/rasāyana claims; cognitive enhancement recipes)
FAQs
This verse presents a traditional herb-and-ghee preparation aimed at enhancing memory and textual retention, supporting disciplined study (adhyayana) and preservation of sacred learning.
This specific verse is not about the soul’s journey or after-death realms; it focuses on a practical, embodied aid—improving cognition to sustain scriptural learning and dharmic practice.
Treat it as a classical reference to medhya (cognition-supporting) herbs and the ideal of steady study; any real-world use should be guided by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for safety and dosage.