Shloka 18
Viṣa-hara Yogas: Puṣya-Nakṣatra Remedies for Serpents, Stings, and Compounded Poisons
शतपुष्पा सैन्धवञ्च साज्यं वा तेन लेपयेत् / शिरीषस्य तु बीजंवै सिद्ध क्षीरेण घर्षितम्
śatapuṣpā saindhavañca sājyaṃ vā tena lepayet / śirīṣasya tu bījaṃvai siddha kṣīreṇa gharṣitam
Hendaklah disapu sebagai pes: sama ada śatapuṣpā bersama garam batu (saindhava), atau dicampur dengan ghee. Atau, biji pokok śirīṣa hendaklah digiling dengan susu yang telah direbus sempurna (bersifat ubatan), lalu disapu.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Proper combinations (yoga) and processing (siddhi/samskāra) enhance efficacy; multiple pathways to the same therapeutic end.
Vedantic Theme: Skill in action (kauśala) within vyavahāra; disciplined preparation reduces duḥkha.
Application: Apply paste of śatapuṣpā with saindhava (rock-salt) or with ghee; alternatively apply śirīṣa seed ground with well-boiled/processed milk.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.191.16-17, 1.191.19-20 (continuation)
FAQs
This verse shows the text also preserves practical remedial instructions—using herbs, salt, ghee, and prepared milk—alongside its broader teachings, indicating a tradition of applied, body-oriented care.
While not directly describing afterlife rites, it reflects the Purana’s wider scope: guidance for embodied life (health and treatment) that supports dharmic living, which is foundational to the karmic trajectory discussed elsewhere in the text.
As a takeaway, it points to using simple, traditional formulations thoughtfully; in modern practice, such remedies should be approached with proper identification of herbs and guidance from qualified Ayurvedic practitioners.