Shloka 22
Bhāiṣajya-yoga
Remedial Formulas), Rakṣā-prayoga (Protections), and Adbhuta-kriyā (Wonder-Working Procedures
वृषस्य मृन्मयस्यैव युक्तो भेको निगृह्यते / शङ्करावयवैर्युक्तो धूपं घ्रात्वा च गर्जति / विस्मयं कुरुते चैव वृषवन्नात्र संशयः
vṛṣasya mṛnmayasyaiva yukto bheko nigṛhyate / śaṅkarāvayavairyukto dhūpaṃ ghrātvā ca garjati / vismayaṃ kurute caiva vṛṣavannātra saṃśayaḥ
മണ്ണിൽ നിർമ്മിച്ച വൃഷഭത്തോട് ബന്ധിപ്പിച്ച തവളയെ ബലമായി നിയന്ത്രിക്കുന്നു; ശങ്കരന്റെ അവയവങ്ങൾ ഘടിപ്പിച്ച് അത് ധൂപത്തിന്റെ ഗന്ധം വാസനിച്ചു ചീറുകയും ഗർജ്ജിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. ഇത് വിസ്മയം ജനിപ്പിക്കുന്നു—സംശയമില്ല, വൃഷഭംപോലെ തന്നെയാണത് തോന്നുന്നത്.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra through illustrative analogies)
Concept: Maya-janaka prayoga: engineered illusion and ventriloquized spectacle (frog constrained to mimic a bull) producing vismaya (astonishment).
Vedantic Theme: Maya and adhyasa: appearances can be manufactured; the mind accepts resemblance as reality when cues are arranged.
Application: Use as an ethical reflection on deception and spectacle—how staged cues manipulate belief; modern application in media literacy and skepticism toward ‘miracle’ demonstrations.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.184.21-23 (occult/technical marvels cluster)
FAQs
It shows how external additions and forced display can create a convincing appearance, yet the underlying reality remains different—urging discernment rather than being misled by form.
By describing something made to look and sound like a bull while not truly being one, the verse points to the need to distinguish essence from mere outward show in religious and worldly judgments.
Do not judge truth, holiness, or competence by outward performance alone; verify character, intention, and consistency—especially in matters of faith, ethics, and guidance.