Shloka 53
Oṣadhi-nāma-nirdeśa: Paryāya (Synonyms) of Herbs, Minerals, and Classical Measures
कट्फलं सोमवृक्षः स्यादग्निगन्धा सुगन्धिका / शताङ्गं शतपुष्पा च मिंसिर्मधुरिकामता
kaṭphalaṃ somavṛkṣaḥ syādagnigandhā sugandhikā / śatāṅgaṃ śatapuṣpā ca miṃsirmadhurikāmatā
कट्फल को ‘सोमवृक्ष’ भी कहा जाता है; ‘अग्निगन्धा’ का नाम ‘सुगन्धिका’ है। ‘शताङ्ग’ को ‘शतपुष्पा’ भी कहते हैं; और ‘मिंसिर’ को ‘मधुरिका’ माना गया है।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)
Concept: Right knowledge includes knowing synonyms and classifications; clarity prevents error in practice.
Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa and viveka at the practical level—discriminating names/forms while remembering their instrumental status.
Application: Maintain synonym-mapping for herbs (kaṭphala/soma-vṛkṣa etc.) to avoid confusion in procurement and formulation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204 (synonym lists for dravyas)
FAQs
This verse functions as a lexical guide, clarifying alternate names of herbs so that ritual items and medicinal ingredients are correctly identified across regions and traditions.
By giving accepted synonym-names, it helps practitioners avoid confusion when sourcing substances used in traditional observances, offerings, or remedial preparations mentioned in related sections.
When following traditional instructions, cross-check regional plant names with recognized Sanskrit synonyms (and, if needed, botanical identification) to ensure accuracy and safety.