Shloka 45

Anupāna and the Doṣa-Effects of Foods, Waters, Dairy, Oils, and Preparations

Devanagari script

वृष्यञ्च मधुरं सर्पिर्वातपित्तकफापहम् / गव्यं मेध्यञ्च चाक्षुष्यं संस्काराच्च त्रिदोषजित्

Transliteration

vṛṣyañca madhuraṃ sarpirvātapittakaphāpaham / gavyaṃ medhyañca cākṣuṣyaṃ saṃskārācca tridoṣajit

Translation

Sarpis (ghee) bersifat manis dan vṛṣya—menyuburkan tenaga; ia mengurangkan vāta, pitta dan kapha. Ghee daripada lembu (gāvya) ialah medhya—mensucikan, baik untuk mata; dan apabila disediakan dengan sempurna, ia menakluk tiga doṣa.

Word by Word

• वृष्यम्: aphrodisiac
• वृष्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter nom/acc sg)

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

• मधुरम्: sweet
• मधुरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter nom/acc sg)

• सर्पिः: ghee
• सर्पिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्पिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन (neuter nom sg)

• वातपित्तकफापहम्: removing vāta, pitta, and kapha
• वातपित्तकफापहम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वात (प्रातिपदिक) + पित्त (प्रातिपदिक) + कफ (प्रातिपदिक) + अपह (अप+√हृ, धातु; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (वात+पित्त+कफ) + तत्पुरुष (अपह) (neuter nom/acc sg)

• गव्यम्: from cow; bovine
• गव्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गव्य (गो-सम्बन्धिन्; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter nom/acc sg)

• मेध्यम्: purifying; wholesome
• मेध्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter nom/acc sg)

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

• आक्षुष्यम्: beneficial for the eyes
• आक्षुष्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आक्षुष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter nom/acc sg)

• संस्कारात्: due to processing/refinement
• संस्कारात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन (masc abl sg); हेतौ (ablative of cause)

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

• त्रिदोषजित्: conquering the three doṣas
• त्रिदोषजित्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या) + दोष (प्रातिपदिक) + जित् (√जि, धातु; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; द्विगु-तत्पुरुष (त्रयः दोषाः) + उपपद-तत्पुरुष (जित्) (masc nom sg)

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata/Pitta/Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Saṃskāra (proper preparation/refinement) transforms a substance’s efficacy; purity (medhya) supports clarity of senses (cakṣuṣya).

Vedantic Theme: Śuddhi (purification) as a support for sattva and steadiness of mind through disciplined living.

Application: Use properly prepared cow ghee for nourishment, ocular support, and doṣa balance; emphasize quality and correct preparation rather than mere quantity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.169.46 (saṃskṛta-ghṛta for neurological conditions)

Characters & Entities

• Cow (as source of gavya)

FAQs

What does the Garuda Purana say about ghee (sarpiḥ)?

It describes ghee as sweet, vitality-promoting, doṣa-alleviating, especially cow’s ghee as purifying and supportive for eyesight.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

The verse is health-focused rather than afterlife-focused; it frames bodily purity and balance as part of a disciplined, dharmic life.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prefer properly prepared ghee in moderation for digestion and nourishment, and treat food as part of daily discipline (niyama).