Garuda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 10

Rasa-Dravya Varga: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, Astringent; Snehana and Svedana Guidelines

Devanagari script

लवणानि यवक्षारसर्जिकादिश्च लावणः / शोधनः पाचनः क्लेदी विश्लेषसर्पणादिकृत्

Transliteration

lavaṇāni yavakṣārasarjikādiśca lāvaṇaḥ / śodhanaḥ pācanaḥ kledī viśleṣasarpaṇādikṛt

Translation

यवक्षार, सर्जिका आदि लवण ‘लवण-वर्ग’ में आते हैं। ये शोधन करते हैं, पाचन बढ़ाते हैं, देह में स्निग्धता/मृदुता लाते हैं तथा ग्रन्थि-आसक्ति का विश्लेष और प्रवाह उत्पन्न करते हैं।

Word by Word

• लवणानि: salts
• लवणानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन

• यवक्षारसर्जिकादिः: such as barley-alkali and sarjikā etc.
• यवक्षारसर्जिकादिः: Apposition (विशेष्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यवक्षार + सर्जिका + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; समासः—यवक्षारश्च सर्जिकाच (द्वन्द्व-समाहार) तेषाम् आदि (तत्पुरुष)

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

• लावणः: saline; pertaining to salt
• लावणः: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण (of lavaṇāni)

• शोधनः: purifying; cleansing
• शोधनः: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• पाचनः: digestive; promoting digestion
• पाचनः: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण

• क्लेदी: moistening; causing dampness
• क्लेदी: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्लेदिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण; -इन्-प्रत्ययान्त

• विश्लेषसर्पणादिकृत्: causing separation, flowing, etc.
• विश्लेषसर्पणादिकृत्: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विश्लेष + सर्पण + आदि + कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; समासः—(विश्लेषं सर्पणं च) तेषाम् आदि, तद् करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper understanding of dravya (substances) and rasa (taste) to maintain bodily purity and digestive balance.

Vedantic Theme: Deha as an instrument (sādhana) requiring sāttvika regulation; moderation supports clarity for higher aims.

Application: Use saline substances judiciously for cleansing and digestion; recognize their softening and channel-opening actions in appropriate conditions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.173 (Ayurveda/rasa-guṇa section: classification of tastes and their effects)

FAQs

What is the importance of salts (lavaṇa) in Garuda Purana’s health teaching?

They are presented as functional substances that cleanse, stimulate digestion, and loosen blockages—useful when applied appropriately.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing disciplined living: maintaining bodily balance supports ritual competence and mental steadiness, both valued in the Purana’s dharmic framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use saline/alkaline substances carefully for digestion and cleansing only when suitable; avoid overuse, as later verses warn of adverse effects.