Shloka 60

Oṣadhi-nāma-nirdeśa: Paryāya (Synonyms) of Herbs, Minerals, and Classical Measures

Devanagari script

अश्वारिश्चैव बोद्धव्यः करवीरो ऽश्वमारकः / सिन्धुः सैन्धवसिन्धूत्थमणिमन्थमुदाहृतम्

Transliteration

aśvāriścaiva boddhavyaḥ karavīro 'śvamārakaḥ / sindhuḥ saindhavasindhūtthamaṇimanthamudāhṛtam

Translation

Ketahuilah bahawa tumbuhan bernama Aśvāri juga dikenal sebagai Karavīra (oleander), masyhur sebagai pemusnah kuda. Dan “Sindhu” dihuraikan sebagai Saindhava (garam batu) serta juga Maṇimantha, bahan yang dikatakan berasal dari sungai/laut Sindhu.

Word by Word

• अश्वारिः: aśvāri (name)
• अश्वारिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वारि (प्रातिपदिक) = अश्व + अरि
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अश्वस्य अरिः/अश्व-शत्रुः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• एव: indeed/also
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (indeed/also)

• बोद्धव्यः: should be known
• बोद्धव्यः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बुध् (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृत्य (तव्यत्/gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘to be known/should be known’

• करवीरः: karavīra (name)
• करवीरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करवीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अश्वमारकः: aśvamāraka (name)
• अश्वमारकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वमारक (प्रातिपदिक) = अश्व + मारक
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अश्वान् मारयति इति/अश्व-मारकः)

• सिन्धुः: sindhu (name)
• सिन्धुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिन्धु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सैन्धवसिन्धूत्थमणिमन्थम्: (the term) saindhava-sindhūttha-maṇimantha
• सैन्धवसिन्धूत्थमणिमन्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सैन्धवसिन्धूत्थमणिमन्थ (प्रातिपदिक) = सैन्धव + सिन्धूत्थ + मणिमन्थ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सिन्धूत्थः सैन्धवः; मणिमन्थः इति नाम)

• उदाहृतम्: is stated/mentioned
• उदाहृतम्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + आ + हृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘is mentioned/said’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: One term may denote multiple referents (polysemy): plant synonymy (aśvāri=karavīra) and substance synonymy (sindhu=saindhava/maṇimantha).

Vedantic Theme: Viveka in language-use; context (prakaraṇa) determines meaning.

Application: In recipes, distinguish whether ‘sindhu’ means rock-salt (saindhava) or another substance; treat karavīra/oleander with caution due to toxicity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: river/region

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204.61 (continues with alkali types)

Characters & Entities

• Lord Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of identifying synonyms like Aśvāri and Karavīra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions like a traditional glossary, clarifying that multiple regional or technical names can refer to the same substance, which prevents mistakes in ritual, remedy, or textual interpretation.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

Alongside afterlife teachings, the Garuda Purana also preserves practical knowledge; here it records authoritative identifications of plants/minerals so readers understand what specific terms denote.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a caution for accurate identification: traditional names vary, so confirm botanical/mineral identity (especially for toxic plants like Karavīra) before any ritual or medicinal use.