Shloka 15

Therapeutic Formulations for Glandular Swelling, Skin Diseases, Heat-Afflictions, Bleeding Disorders, Respiratory Complaints, and Vomiting

Devanagari script

श्वेतापरा जितामूलं वर्तितं चास्य वारिणा / तल्लेपो रुद्र मासेन शुक्लकुष्ठविनाशनः

Transliteration

śvetāparā jitāmūlaṃ vartitaṃ cāsya vāriṇā / tallepo rudra māsena śuklakuṣṭhavināśanaḥ

Translation

ശ്വേതാപരയും ‘ജിതാമൂല’ ഔഷധവും വെള്ളത്തിൽ അരച്ച് തയ്യാറാക്കിയ ലേപം—രുദ്രമാസം (ഒരു മാസം) പുരട്ടിയാൽ ശ്വേതകുഷ്ഠം നശിപ്പിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• श्वेता-अपरा: the plant 'Śvetāparā' (white aparā)
• श्वेता-अपरा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वेता (प्रातिपदिक) + अपरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (श्वेता या अपरा सा)

• जिता-मूलम्: the root of (the plant) jitā
• जिता-मूलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जिता (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जितायाः मूलम्)

• वर्तितम्: ground; made into a paste
• वर्तितम्: Karma (Object complement/कर्मपूरक)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृत्/वर्त् (धातु) → वर्तित (कृदन्त; क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (ground/rolled; prepared)

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

• अस्य: of it; its
• अस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वारिणा: with water
• वारिणा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• तत्-लेपः: that paste/application
• तत्-लेपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + लेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी/संबन्ध-तत्पुरुषः (तस्य लेपः)

• रुद्र: O Rudra
• रुद्र: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• मासेन: within a month; by (the course of) a month
• मासेन: Karana (Time-measure/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; कालकरणे (instrumental of time)

• शुक्ल-कुष्ठ-विनाशनः: destroyer of white leprosy
• शुक्ल-कुष्ठ-विनाशनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + कुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + विनाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; (शुक्लं कुष्ठं) विनाशयति इति

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda, Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Niyama (regular disciplined practice) yields results; healing is sustained by time, routine, and correct application.

Vedantic Theme: Abhyāsa (repeated practice) as a general principle—here applied to bodily care.

Application: Prepare a water-ground paste of śvetā aparā and jitāmūla; apply consistently for one month as a regimen (with proper botanical identification and dermatologic oversight).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.190.14-16 (śukla-kuṣṭha remedies; topical vs oral approaches; time-bound regimen)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra

FAQs

What is the importance of this remedy in the Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves a specific, practice-oriented herbal formulation—white aparā and jitāmūla mixed with water—presented as a month-long regimen for alleviating śukla-kuṣṭha (a white skin disorder).

How does this verse relate to the broader Garuda Purana narrative about the soul’s journey?

Although the Garuda Purana is famous for afterlife teachings, it also contains pragmatic sections on dharmic living and wellbeing; this verse belongs to that therapeutic stream rather than the preta/after-death itinerary.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a historical-scriptural reference: consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or dermatologist before using any herbal paste, and adopt disciplined, consistent care (the verse emphasizes a one-month regimen) alongside ethical, sattvic habits.